Thursday marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s political landscape as Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ruku was officially sworn into office. This follows his formal Gazettement on Wednesday 16th 2025, solidifying his new role in the Cabinet and triggering a ripple effect back in his home constituency of Mbeere North.
With Ruku’s elevation to the Cabinet, his seat as Member of Parliament for Mbeere North now stands vacant. The Constitution mandates a by-election to fill the position, and the race is already heating up.
Mbeere North by-elections.
Among the first to throw his hat into the ring is Evurore Ward MCA, who has publicly declared his intention to vie for the MP seat. His move, if successful, will in turn create another vacancy—this time at the ward level, setting up a potential by-election in Evurore Ward.
Newton Kariuki Ndwiga, the MCA for Muminji Ward and Deputy Leader of the Minority in the Embu County Assembly, is another potential contender. Ndwiga, affiliated with the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP), brings experience from his legislative role .If he decides to run, that would mean another vacancy for MCA, Muminji Ward.
Josiah Murithi Thiriku, the Speaker of the Embu County Assembly, is also rumored to be considering a run. Thiriku has been vocal on county matters and has previously emphasized the importance of inclusive governance.
Other contestants are expected as well.As the political landscape in Mbeere North shifts, constituents are keenly observing the developments. One local resident remarked, “We need a leader who understands our challenges and can represent us effectively at the national level.”The youth of Mbeere North are especially conscious about unemployment and marginalisation from the larger Embu County.
IEBC Vacuum Could Delay Mbeere North By-Election
While the political momentum is building in Mbeere North, the timeline for the by-election remains uncertain due to the lack of a fully constituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The vetting process for new IEBC commissioners is currently underway, following the exit of the previous team. Without a functional commission in place, the electoral body cannot legally conduct or oversee any elections, including the anticipated Mbeere North parliamentary by-election.
This institutional gap could cause significant delays, leaving the constituency without representation in the National Assembly for an extended period. As one local analyst put it, “Until the IEBC is fully operational, the wheels of democracy in Mbeere North are effectively on pause.”
Mbeere North now finds itself at the center of political activity, with residents watching closely as new leadership dynamics unfold.
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