The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party has chosen Leo Muriuki Muthende to vie for the Mbeere North constituency seat in the upcoming by-election.
The ruling party made the announcement on Saturday evening after seven other hopefuls who wanted to run stepped down in a consensus.
If elected, Muthende will replace the Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
UDA Deputy Party Leader Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who was at the event, lauded the seven aspirants for political maturity and embracing democracy.
"As a party, we are happy to see the candidates have all endorsed one candidate," Kindiki stated.
The announcement comes just weeks after UDA revealed that nominations for the upcoming byelections would be made on September 20, ahead
UDA had thus urged interested candidates to register for nomination between August 14 and September 5, ahead of the November 27 by-elections.
"Notice is hereby given that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party nominations shall be held on 20th September 2025. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for nomination by registering through the UDA party portal accessible at www.uda.ke," the statement read in part.
Muthende is expected to face stiff competition from several other candidates from different parties, including one backed by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
However, the DCP party has been experiencing a tough time with its candidate for the constituency, Duncan Mbui, after he accused the party of jeopardising his political ambitions under the influence of the United Opposition.
“I have been watching with a keen eye the goings-on at the DCP party and have come to the conclusion that it is a members’ club within the so-called United Opposition,” he wrote on his social media platforms.
"The club has been influenced to decide that DCP should not field a candidate in Mbeere North, a decision I view as a deliberate attempt to kill my ambition and that of the KivuiKivui fraternity (his campaign slogan meaning 'a mallet'). Arising from this, we have decided to go independent... We have always been independent and shall win as independent.”
