Former CS Alleges Amount of Money Govt Used in Mbeere North Campaign

Former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi has claimed that the government spent Ksh600 million during the Mbeere North by-election. 

Linturi made the remarks while drumming support for Democratic Party candidate Newton Kariuki, known as Karish.

Speaking during the burial of Lenny Kivuti’s mother in Embu, Linturi said the scale of spending was far above what is normally used in a parliamentary contest. 

He noted that several choppers, military aircraft and heavy security machinery were deployed in the area throughout the campaign period.

Linturi said that in an ordinary parliamentary race, candidates usually spend about Ksh10 million, making the alleged Ksh600 million equivalent to funding dozens of full campaigns. 

His claims come against the backdrop of a heated and closely watched by-election.

The IEBC declared UDA’s Leonard Muriuki wa Muthende the winner with 15,802 votes, defeating Kariuki who garnered 15,308 votes. 

The narrow margin has intensified debate over political influence in the Mt Kenya region.

Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku and MP-elect Muthende have used the result to question former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s influence. 

Ruku said the outcome showed that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki enjoys stronger support on the ground.

He urged Gachagua to retire from active politics and allow the region to move forward, arguing that voters had chosen leaders focused on development. 

Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri supported the view, saying Kindiki’s stature in Mt Kenya had grown significantly.

The Mbeere North by-election has now become a major talking point, with leaders interpreting the results as a sign of shifting political forces in the region.