Duncan Mbui, the Evurore Ward MCA, has made a bold move in the upcoming Mbeere North by-election after deciding to abandon the party ticket and run as an independent candidate.
His decision comes at a critical moment when the seat, previously held by Geoffrey Ruku before he joined the Cabinet as Public Service CS, has drawn intense political interest.
Mbui had initially planned to vie under the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), but he has since declared that he is no longer part of the party and will face voters on his own.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Saturday, September 6, 2025, Mbui explained that DCP, under the umbrella of the United Opposition, had resolved not to field a candidate in Mbeere North and instead leave the ground for the DP Party led by Justin Muturi.
According to Mbui, this directive did not sit well with him as he saw it as a calculated attempt to clip his wings politically. He described DCP as nothing more than a members’ club that is controlled and influenced by bigger constituent parties within the United Opposition.
To him, the move was aimed at undermining not just his career but also the voice of the people of Evurore and the broader KivuiKivui fraternity.In his remarks, Mbui made it clear that he is not ready to abandon his ambition simply because of what he considers selfish political arrangements.
“I have been watching with a keen eye the goings-on at the DCP party and have come to the conclusion that the party is a members’ club within the so-called ‘United Opposition’,” he said.
He further added that the decision not to field a candidate was deliberate and targeted at killing his dream. Declaring his resolve, Mbui stated, “Arising from this, we have decided to go INDEPENDENT. We have always been independent and shall win as INDEPENDENT.”
His decision comes at a time when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued fresh guidelines for independent aspirants eyeing the November 27, 2025 by-elections. In its directive, IEBC reminded candidates that they must not have been affiliated with any political party for at least three months before the elections.
Additionally, aspirants are expected to secure clearance from the Registrar of Political Parties to confirm their independence before presenting their names and symbols for approval.
The deadline for submitting these details has been set for September 17, 2025.
Mbui’s declaration sets the stage for a heated race in Mbeere North. With the DP Party expected to field a candidate backed by the United Opposition, and Mbui positioning himself as a people-driven independent, the contest will likely test the influence of political parties against the resilience of grassroots support.
His gamble to run without party backing may either propel him as a symbol of defiance or place him at odds with the well-organized party machinery.
Either way, the by-election is shaping up to be a highly competitive affair that could redefine the region’s political dynamics.
