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The High Court in Embu has ruled on the election petition challenging the victory of Leo Wa Muthende Njeru (formerly known as Leonard Muriuki Njeru) as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mbeere North.
Justice R. Mwongo, presiding over the Election Court, threw out the petition (No. E001 of 2025) filed by Julieta Karigi Kithumbu and Patrick Gitonga Gichoni on technical grounds.
The court’s decision hinged on a mandatory procedural requirement under Section 78 of the Elections Act. The petitioners failed to deposit the required Ksh 500,000 security for costs within ten days of filing their petition on December 1, 2025.
In his ruling delivered on February 12, 2026, Justice Mwongo stated that the Election Petition dated 01st December 2025 was dismissed with costs of Ksh 800,000/= to the Respondents. Costs are subject to taxation by the Deputy Registrar.
Also Read: Leonard Wamuthende: Profile of Newly Elected Mbeere North MP
“Accordingly, the petition by Julieta Karigi Kithumbu and Patrick Gitonga Gichoni dated 01st December, 2025 against the election of Leonard wa Muthende Njeru, namely Petition No E001 of 2025, was dismissed for failure to comply with the mandatory requirement to deposit Ksh 500,000/= as a security deposit into court within ten days after filing the petition,” Court document read.
According to the court report, election Petition E002 of 2025 will proceed as scheduled subject to further orders and it is expected to commence on 09th March 2026 on a day to day basis until conclusion.
Further, all other pending applications in the petition lapse and become otiose and were marked as such since their relevance depended on the continuance of the petition.
“Party and party costs were awarded to the respondents, capped to a total maximum amount of Kshs 800,000/= subject to taxation by the Deputy Registrar,” Part of the report read.
Mbeere North By-Elections
Wamuthende secured 15,802 votes, edging out his nearest rival, Newton Kariuki (also known as Newton Karish), who garnered 15,308 votes.
Also Read: Complete By-Election Results for Mbeere North, Kasipul & Malava
The Mbeere North by-election was triggered by the elevation of former MP Geoffrey Ruku to Cabinet in March 2025.
In the lead-up to the election, Kindiki personally led Wamuthende rallies throughout Mbeere North, framing the race as a referendum on the continuation and advancement of government-funded projects.
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Main entrace of Embu Law Courts. PHOTO/Judiciary