Mbeere North’s newly elected Member of Parliament, Leo Wamuthende, took to the floor of the National Assembly on Tuesday to take his oath of office, exactly seven days after being declared the winner in a gruelling by-election.
Wamuthende, whose name shot into the national spotlight after former area MP Geoffrey Ruku joined the Cabinet, wore a broad smile as he walked into Parliament, flanked by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo.
Dressed in a crisp navy blue pinstripe suit paired with a bold red tie, Wamuthende cut a confident figure, his bright expression mirroring the relief and triumph of finally stepping into the corridors of power he had fought hard to attain.
Sporting a distinctive white beard, much like his towering, six-foot predecessor Ruku, Wamuthende firmly gripped the Bible as he took the oath, embracing the role of legislator with visible solemnity.
Moments later, the new MP took to Facebook to share his joy and reaffirm his commitment to the people of Mbeere North.
“I step into this role fully aware of the expectations and the work that lies ahead. My focus is on service, progress, and delivering real impact through collaboration, transparency, and consistent action,” he wrote.
Inside the House, Wamuthende was occasionally seen pausing to greet senior lawmakers, particularly those from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region, a gesture reminiscent of a student on his first day in a new school, eager to make the right impression.
Wamuthende clinched the seat after defeating Democratic Party candidate Newton Karish in a tightly contested race.
He garnered 15,802 votes against Karish’s 15,302.
The campaign had gripped national attention, marked by fiery slogans, sharp political jabs and open rivalry between the Rigathi Gachagua-aligned camp and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s faction.
So high were the stakes that Kindiki camped in Mbeere North throughout the campaign, leaving only briefly to attend President William Ruto’s State of the Nation Address, the burial of gospel musician Betty Bayo, and a Judiciary event.
“We have no problem with anyone asking for votes from our people. That is democracy. We are decent people. But don’t ever mistake our calmness for cowardice. Don’t provoke us. We are lethal and will deal with you ruthlessly,” Kindiki warned during one of the heavily attended rallies.
By the end of the race, “Wamuthende” had become a household name. Today, it is Honourable Muthende.
Political analysts say the victory carries significant weight for the UDA-led Ruto administration, framing it as a crucial litmus test in a region where the government’s popularity has been increasingly under scrutiny.