Njeru formally announced his exit from the race during a press briefing in Embu town on Saturday 7th February 2026, flanked by CCK party leader Moses Kuria and Mbeere North Member of Parliament Leonard Wamuthende. In his address, Njeru described the decision as a strategic sacrifice aimed at accelerating development in Evurore Ward.

He argued that the ward stood to gain more by electing a leader aligned with the national government, maintaining that political proximity to power remains a key determinant of development outcomes at the grassroots. Njeru pledged to throw his full weight behind the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, Duncan Muratia, saying the move offered the most viable pathway to address long-standing socio-economic challenges facing residents.

“This is not about stepping aside because of weakness. It is a strategic decision made in the best interests of the people of Evurore,” Njeru said.

CCK party leader Moses Kuria backed the decision, framing it within a broader regional strategy. Kuria called for political unity across the Mount Kenya region, urging leaders to consolidate support behind President William Ruto’s administration.

According to Kuria, regions that speak with one political voice are better positioned to negotiate for national resources, a lesson he said Mount Kenya could no longer afford to ignore.

“You cannot sit in Opposition and expect development. Unity is not a favour to anyone; it is a strategy,” said.

MP Leonard Wamuthende welcomed Njeru’s endorsement, terming it a major boost for the UDA campaign in Evurore. He predicted a decisive win for the ruling party candidate and hinted that more candidates and political figures were expected to defect to UDA as the campaign period enters its final stretch.

The Evurore Ward by-election, alongside that of the neighbouring Muminji Ward, is scheduled for February 26. Both seats fell vacant after the former Members of County Assembly resigned to contest the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election held on November 27, 2025.

Despite the momentum shifting toward UDA, Opposition forces are intensifying their efforts to counter the ruling party’s growing influence. The contest has drawn the involvement of heavyweight political figures, including Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) leader Lenny Kivuti and Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi, both of whom hail from Evurore Ward.

The two leaders are banking on their local roots and political networks to rally support for DP candidate Albert Kigoro. Their strategy appears focused on consolidating the Evurore vote as a bulwark against UDA’s expanding dominance.

In a calculated move, Muturi recently held talks with former Evurore MCA Duncan Mbui, who unsuccessfully contested the Mbeere North parliamentary seat in the recent by-election, losing to Leonard Wamuthende. Political observers interpret the engagement as an attempt to tap into Mbui’s grassroots networks and deep understanding of the ward’s political dynamics, given his recent tenure and influence.

As campaigns gather pace, Evurore Ward has emerged as a key political battleground, with shifting alliances, high-level endorsements, and strategic withdrawals underscoring the high stakes involved. The outcome of the by-election is expected not only to shape local leadership but also to signal broader political trends within Mbeere North and the wider Mount Kenya region.

Wa Muthende had pledged during the campaigns that his administration would eliminate tuition fees in day secondary schools to ensure all learners in the constituency access education without financial barriers.

The MP officially launched the programme on Friday 6th, February 2026 while addressing school heads, parents and education stakeholders at Karerema market in Evurore Ward.

To kick-start the initiative, Wa Muthende disbursed cheques amounting to over KSh500,000 to principals of day secondary schools drawn from across the constituency.

He said the programme targets all the 46 day secondary schools in Mbeere North, describing it as a deliberate step towards achieving universal basic education.

“We want children of Mbeere North to learn without the fear of being sent home for school fees. This will also allow parents to redirect their limited resources to other basic needs,” the MP said.

Wa Muthende underscored the central role of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, particularly in the semi-arid Mbeere North region where livelihoods are often threatened by unfavourable climatic conditions.

“Our area does not enjoy the same agricultural potential as other regions. Education therefore remains the most reliable pathway out of intergenerational poverty,” he said.

Beyond easing the financial burden on parents, the MP said the initiative is expected to boost enrolment and retention by ensuring no learner stays out of school or drops out due to lack of fees.

He further announced that the programme will be complemented by a school feeding initiative to provide free lunch to learners, a move aimed at improving attendance and learning outcomes.

In an effort to raise academic performance, Wa Muthende also revealed plans to introduce incentives for top-performing students and teachers, including cash rewards and sponsored educational trips.

“Our focus is not only access but also quality. We want to see improved results and ensure that at least 60 per cent of our students qualify for university admission,” he said.

Parents and school administrators welcomed the initiative, terming it a major boost to education access in the constituency.

Catherine Wangari, a parent said the programme had lifted a huge burden off families, noting that parents can now concentrate on ensuring their children attend school consistently.

St Andrew's Ngoche Secondary School Principal Nahashon Njeru said the initiative will stabilise school finances and end the practice of sending learners home over unpaid fees, allowing schools to focus on delivering quality education.

Speaking during a public participation forum, the residents said the divestiture could help the government raise much-needed revenue for development projects while easing pressure caused by rising public borrowing. However, they emphasized that the success of the exercise will largely depend on how open and accountable the entire process is, particularly on how the proceeds will be utilized.

The residents warned that any lack of transparency could lead to loss of public funds and erode public confidence in the divestiture.

Lincoln Kithaka from Mbeere South said he supports the move, noting that it could unlock funds for critical infrastructure projects. He stressed that the government must ensure the process is clean, credible, and free from corruption.

Auriria Igoki, also from Mbeere South, echoed similar sentiments, saying the divestiture is beneficial only if strict oversight mechanisms are put in place. She added that openness in the sale and bidding process would reassure Kenyans that the exercise is genuinely meant to serve the public interest.

Joseph Ndwiga from Ngunda Ward said the partial divestiture could help strengthen government finances but called for full transparency in the bidding process.

 Ndwiga urged the government to publicly disclose who places bids and who eventually emerges successful, noting that while public declaration of the sale is a good step, accountability must be maintained throughout the entire process.

The residents concluded that while they support the divestiture, corruption should not be condoned at any stage, warning that misuse of funds would defeat the intended benefits and result in losses to the government and the public at large.

The Head of State ordered ordered schools to admit students regardless of whether they had cleared their school fees balances or had acquired school uniforms.  President Ruto insisted that there should be 100 per cent transition transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10.

County Commissioner Erastus Mbui further told the mass media in his office that there was ongoing countywide mobilisation to ensure that all Grade 10 learners report to schools.  

After sitting for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment,  KPSEA,  students should join senior schools.  In Kitui County's case, the remaining 20 per cent are still being verified to ensure compliance with the President's directive.  "We are still verifying because some learners may already be in school.  We are counterchecking through both schools and home visits to be certain", explained Kitui County Commissioner Erastus Mbui. 

All chiefs in Kitui County were instructed to visit former junior schools to obtain names of students who completed Grade 9 in 2025. This will be for confirming which senior schools they were admitted.

Commissioner Erastus Mbui warned that if a student will be found idling at home without a valid reason, he or she will be facilitated to enrol in a senior school near home. He reiterated that there was no justification for any student to be out of class.

The Near-Average to Below-Average rainfall forecast covers all Ukambani region, North-eastern Kenya and the Northwest. "Rainfall may be poorly distributed,  with intermittent dry spells that could affect agriculture,  pasture and water availability", said Edward Muriuki,  Ag. Director of the Kenya Meteorological Services. 

In terms of temperature range over the long rainfall season, the weatherman said the entire country will experience warmer-than-average temperatures,  increasing heat-related risks, especially in ASAL areas, coastal regions, and urban centres.

Kitui County CECM for Agriculture and Livestock Dr Mbaya Kimwele said while the Met forecast for March 2026 shows that rainfall will be near to below average,  it will have a slightly better performance than the OND 2025 season. "The rains are likely to start in the 3rd to 4th week of March and end by mid-May", he said.