Did President William Ruto craftily lead former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua into an open pit trap in Mbeere North in the just-concluded by-elections?
The November 27 contest had boiled down to a competition for the political soul of Mt Kenya between President Ruto, who is seeking a second term in 2027, and Mr Gachagua, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) boss, who is plotting to thwart that re-election.
While President Ruto kept off the ground assault, instead dispatching a team led by his Deputy, Prof Kithure Kindiki, ruling party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chair Ms Cecily Mbarire and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Mr Gachagua had in his corner former Attorney-General Justin Muturi and former Embu County Senator Lenny Kivuti.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki congratulates Leo Muthende of UDA after he was declared the winner in the Mbeere North by-election. Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi| Nation Media Group
In the mini-poll, President Ruto's candidate Leonard Muthende trounced Mr Gachagua's candidate Newton Kariuki with a margin of 494 votes. While Mr Muthende garnered 15,802 votes, Mr Kariuki got 15,308 votes.
Pundits expected the vote to
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