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.

Mature Bulls-55-110K

Medium Bulls-40-55K

Young Bulls-28-40K

Mature Cows-35-65K

Medium Cows-30-40K

Young Cows-28-32K

Bucks

Mature-8-15K

Medium-6-10K

Young-3-5K

Mature ram-7-12K

Medium ram-3-5K

Mature ewe-6-8K

Medium ewe-3-5K

Chicken 

Mature Cocks-600-1000

Mature Hen-  450-700

Donkeys 

Male-5-10K

Females-5-10K

Dated:29/1/2026

Dr Kasalu said prolonged food shortages in Kitui County have left many pupils attending school on empty stomachs, a situation she described as detrimental to concentration, attendance and overall academic performance.

Kitui is among Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), where rainfall patterns remain highly unreliable, often resulting in poor harvests and chronic food insecurity.

Speaking to journalists in Kitui town on February 3, 2026 , shortly after launching a National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) full scholarship programme for Grade 10 to 12 learners, the Woman Representative said the hunger crisis has reached alarming levels.“Many families in Kitui County are struggling to put food on the table due to prolonged drought. Learners are expected to attend school daily, yet many of them do so without a meal, which puts their education at serious risk,” Dr Kasalu said.

She cited that the last rainy season, which was characterised by insufficient and poorly distributed rainfall across large parts of the county, leaving farms unproductive and households without adequate food supplies. According to Dr Kasalu, the situation has forced families to make difficult choices, often prioritising basic survival over education-related needs.“Kitui lies on the drought belt, and without deliberate intervention, life becomes extremely difficult for residents. Learners cannot be expected to perform well academically when hunger has become a daily reality,” she added.

Dr Kasalu noted that her office has already taken steps to seek support from development partners and humanitarian organisations. She revealed that she has written formal letters to several organisations appealing for food assistance, particularly targeting schools in the most affected and remote areas.“Through the Office of the Woman Representative in Kitui, I have reached out to organisations that can support the supply of food to schools. This will help learners stay in class and improve their learning experience, while also supporting vulnerable women and elderly people who struggle to access meals,” she explained.

She stressed that school feeding programmes have previously played a critical role in improving school attendance and retention, especially in drought-prone regions. Reintroducing them, she said, would provide immediate relief while long-term solutions to food insecurity are pursued.

Dr Kasalu called on organisations that have received her appeals to act with urgency, warning that delays could worsen the situation for thousands of households.“Hunger requires a rescue mission. Concentrating in class with an empty stomach is an almost impossible task. We urge both levels of government and our partners to act swiftly and restore school feeding programmes to protect the future of our children,” she said.

The inferno, whose cause is yet to be established, broke out at around 9pm on Monday, February 2, 2026, and spread rapidly through the area, which is largely occupied by furniture workshops, timber yards, and showrooms.

Within a short time, raging flames engulfed business premises, destroying finished furniture, raw materials, machinery, and tools, as traders watched helplessly while years of hard work and investment went up in smoke.

The scene was one of shock and despair, with some traders visibly shaken by the scale of destruction, while others stood in silence, unable to salvage anything from their burning businesses.

Peter Mwololo, the chairman of Shauri United Association, said about 300 traders had been affected by the inferno, noting that most of them depend entirely on the furniture business as their only source of livelihood.

Mwololo criticized the emergency response, saying the fire brigade that arrived at the scene did not have sufficient water to effectively fight the blaze, and called on the Embu County Government to improve preparedness for such disasters.

“This fire has destroyed livelihoods. About 300 traders have been affected, yet the fire brigade did not have enough water to put out the flames. We need better preparedness and proper equipment to protect our people,” said Mwololo.

Efforts by the Embu County emergency response team were further hampered after the fire engine’s water hose, used to draw and spray water, was reportedly vandalized by unknown individuals, slowing down the firefighting operation.

Joseph Njoka, the Director of Risk Management in Embu County, said the county fire brigade had been swiftly deployed to contain the inferno, but their efforts were frustrated by unruly members of the public. He explained that as firefighters battled the blaze, some individuals turned violent, cutting the fire brigade’s hosepipe with a panga and pelting the team with stones, effectively paralyzing the rescue operation.

“As we were putting out the fire, some people came with a panga, cut off the hosepipe, and started throwing stones at our fire brigade,” Njoka said.

The delay allowed the fire to spread further, causing more destruction before it was eventually brought under control, according to traders who witnessed the operation. Charles Mugambi, the chairman of Embu Business Owners Association, called for a thorough investigation into the incident, noting that fire outbreaks in the area have increased in recent days. “We are deeply concerned because these fire incidents are becoming frequent. Authorities must investigate thoroughly to establish the cause and prevent a repeat of such devastating losses,” Mugambi said.

One of the affected traders, Geoffrey Njeru, said he had invested about KSh2.6 million in his business, including raw materials, machines, and ready-made furniture that he was scheduled to deliver to clients on Tuesday. “I had furniture ready for delivery today, machines, and materials worth about KSh2.6 million. Everything was destroyed by the fire, and I don’t know how I will recover,” Njeru said.

For Titus Waweru, who has operated a furniture business in the Shauri area since the year 2000, the incident was particularly painful, as it marked the second time his business had been destroyed by fire despite having taken a loan from a sacco to rebuild.

“This is the second time fire has brought me down. I secured a loan to put up the business again, and now it has all been reduced to ashes. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid so that we can rise again and rebuild our businesses,” Waweru said.

The Shauri area has previously experienced similar incidents, including a major fire in 2022, raising renewed concerns about fire safety, emergency preparedness, and long-term prevention measures to protect traders and their investments.

He said the school bus for the little known school in Mumoni district will be acquired through the Mwingi North CDF kitty.

"The school has done us proud and since they had requested CDF to provide them with a school bus, their wishes have been answered because sooner than later they will have their own bus,' said the two term MP.

Nzengu was speaking at the Mwingi North CDF headquarters in Kyuso town during an event  that marked the commencement of the distribution of  bursary cheques worth KSh. 65,000 to heads of secondary schools and tertiary institutions in his constituency. About 15,000 needy learners are slated to benefit for the Mwingi North CDF  education bursaries this financial year.

Kaundu Mixed Day and Boarding Secondary school surprised many a folks by emerging from the blues to be ranked position five in the top 2025 KCSE schools in Kitui County. 

Among the 154  KCSE candidates  who sat their examination last year, all but  two qualified for direct university admission after scored grade C+ and above.

The school had the highest number of candidates who qualified for direct university admission in Kitui county. Speaking during the Kyuso bursary event, MP Nzengu said due to the harsh economic times Kenyans were faced with, Secondary school teachers should  not send learners who were unable to pay full school fees home. "I want school heads to understand that parents are hard up financially. They should accept whatever amounts parents can afford and retain students in school. Sending students home for school fees at this time will ruin their future as they will end up as school dropout," said the MP.

He said school heads with high number of learners in his constituency who have issues paying school fees should  approach the CDF for support. "If a school is experiencing fees balances amounting up to KSh. 2 million and we give them KSh 300,000 , is it not good enough  money to keep the school going for some time?" he posed.

The Gai Secondary school principal Peter Mwandikwa praised the MP for perpetually assisting needy students with bursaries via the Mwingi North CDF Kitui every other year. He however said the principals were currently in a catch 22 state after President William Ruto asked Grade 10 learned to go to senior school whether or not they had fees and uniforms.

The Kenya Meteorological Department weather forecast further indicates that the month of February will mostly be sunny and dry across most Wards of Kitui County. However,  occasional rainfall may be felt in high ground areas in the Western and Southern sectors.

The month of March,  on the other hand, is expected to mark the onset of rainfall season over several parts of the county.

The weatherman further anticipates April to be the peak of the March-April-May rainfall season with more widespread and enhanced rainfall distribution.

Ruku said Mt Kenya East comprising Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Isiolo counties, share common development priorities that require a coordinated approach to political participation and national dialogue.

Speaking at Jesus Christ Power of Resurrection Ministries in Isiolo County, the CS said regions that organise around shared interests are better placed to articulate their needs and participate effectively in leadership negotiations and development planning.

“Our focus is on internal cohesion and constructive engagement. Unity allows regions to speak clearly on issues that matter to their people, while remaining part of the larger national conversation,” Ruku said.

He noted that Mt Kenya East has historically played a key role in Mt Kenya politics and continues to contribute to the region’s overall political strength, adding that coordinated decision-making would help safeguard its long-term interests.

Ruku said residents of the region are increasingly keen to make informed and independent political choices that align with their development priorities, while maintaining cooperation with other Mt Kenya regions.

He pointed to the elevation of Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who hails from Mt Kenya East, as an indication of the region’s growing presence in national leadership.

“As Mt Kenya East, we are committed to working together and engaging responsibly with other regions for the common good,” he said.

On the humanitarian front, Ruku addressed the ongoing drought and food insecurity affecting parts of the country, assuring residents that the government remains committed to ensuring no Kenyan goes hungry.

He said the government has set aside adequate resources for the purchase and distribution of relief food, noting that KSh6 billion has already been spent to support affected households and livestock.

The CS warned against the diversion or misuse of relief supplies, saying firm action would be taken against anyone found undermining the programme.

He also called on development partners, faith-based organisations and other stakeholders to support government efforts, saying collaboration remains critical in addressing food insecurity.

On security, Ruku reiterated the government’s commitment to ending cattle rustling, warning that the practice would no longer be tolerated and urging those involved to abandon the vice.

Leaders accompanying the CS maintained that they will not relent in ensuring Mt Kenya East political identity and interests are safeguarded for benefit of their people.

He studies at Kitui Teachers Training College.   He is from Twimyua location,  Kyuso Ward, Mwingi North sub county,  Kitui county. 

"I hereby cry with a loud voice that anyone with a kind heart may help me clear my fees balance of KSh. 122500. My colleagues have started teaching practice today on 5th January 2026 and I am yet to be posted due to my huge fees balance", he wrote on a WhatsApp post appealing for help from well-wishers including the government. 

Munuve further called upon residents of his constituency to rally behind Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka's presidential bid. He expressed optimism that the Wiper Democratic Movement party boss stands a stronger chance than ever before in being elected the sixth President of Kenya.

He was speaking at Kimu village in Kyuso Ward during the funeral ceremony of the late Madam Agnes Kalekye.

Speaking during a public forum in Ndia, Kirinyaga County, Ruku said the so-called United Opposition is engaging in tired public relations stunts designed to grab headlines rather than offer leadership to Kenyans. He argued that the frequent press conferences and staged confrontations betray a coalition more interested in theatrics than solutions.

Ruku likened the opposition’s conduct to a football team attempting to lobby the referee before kickoff instead of training, fixing tactics, and fielding a solid squad. “When you spend all your time crying foul before the match even starts, you are admitting you don’t trust your own game,” he said.

According to the CS, Kenyans are exhausted by empty rhetoric, manufactured outrage, and recycled accusations that offer no relief to households struggling with the cost of living. He said politics should be about ideas and delivery, not perpetual complaints.

Ruku challenged the opposition to stop hiding behind institutions and instead present a clear and convincing manifesto to the people. He said Kenyans want to hear concrete proposals on job creation, healthcare, education, corruption, and lowering the cost of living.

He noted that real politics is anchored in engaging voters directly and articulating practical solutions, not seeking publicity through confrontations with constitutional offices. “Leadership is about vision, not volume,” Ruku remarked.

The CS further questioned the opposition’s readiness to govern, pointing to its failure to rally behind a single, credible presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election. He said the continued ambiguity only exposes deep divisions within the coalition.

Ruku argued that finger-pointing and blame-shifting are being used as convenient scapegoats to mask a lack of vision and internal cohesion. “You cannot ask Kenyans to trust you with power when you cannot even organize yourselves,” he said.

He maintained that President William Ruto’s administration remains focused on delivery, citing ongoing reforms and development programmes aimed at uplifting ordinary Kenyans despite economic headwinds.

Ruku said the government welcomes issue-based competition but will not be distracted by what he termed as political theater meant to derail progress. He urged leaders to rise above propaganda and engage in mature, solution-driven discourse.

The CS emphasized that democracy thrives when voters are presented with clear choices grounded in policy, integrity, and competence, not fear-mongering and manufactured crises.

The devolved unit targets strengthening food security by protecting livestock which are a major source of livelihoods. Speaking during the launch, Kitui CECM for Agriculture and Livestock Dr Stephen Mbaya said that FMD was among the most economically damaging livestock diseases leading to reduced productivity,  loss of income and frequent market closures. 

Dr Mbaya said Kenya experiences 52.5% prevalence of FMD. Kitui County,  he added, records a prevalence of 28.8%. Therefore,  there is need for sustained preventive measures.

FMD affects pastoralist and mixed farming communities. As for Kitui County,  a countywide vaccination will roll out from February 2,  2026. It will cover all the 40 wards. 

The vaccination will be conducted by trained and licensed veterinary officers using approved vaccines from the Kenya Veterinary Vaccine Production Institute,  KEVEVAPI.

The Agriculture and Livestock CECM said the county had subsidised FMD Vaccine from KSh160 to KSh50. "To enhance affordability,  the county government has subsidised the cost from KSh160 to KSh50 per animal. The county government has set aside KSh26million for vaccination of cattle against FMD", said CECM Dr Mbaya.

The Governor Dr Julius Malombe-led  government is implementing the FMD vaccination through an e-voucher system to promote transparency and efficiency by ensuring subsidised exercised reach all intended beneficiaries. 

Other government officials present during the FMD vaccination launch were the Deputy County Commissioner  for Mwingi East John Kipsia, Chief officers Jonathan Kyambi (Livestock), Stephen Salee (Decentralised Units), Mwingi Central sub county administrator Justus Kivuvo, chiefs,  assistant chiefs,   ward administrators and village administrators.

Speaking during a public engagement in Embu County on Wednesday, Nyoro brushed off the ministry’s explanation, saying uncertainty over costs should not be used as an excuse to delay a policy that directly affects millions of Kenyan families.

The legislator proposed a simple but impactful fix: raising the annual capitation for each secondary school student from the current Ksh 22,000 to Ksh 31,000. He said the adjustment would immediately ease financial pressure on public schools.

Nyoro explained that the proposed KSh 9,000 increase per learner would be carefully apportioned to address real challenges on the ground. Of this, KSh 6,000 would go toward tuition, while Ksh 3,000 would support Board of Management teachers and day-to-day school operations.

To bankroll the plan, the MP laid out a three-pronged funding strategy that he described as both realistic and fair. First, he suggested cutting KSh 30 million from each MP’s constituency allocation.

According to Nyoro, this single move could raise about KSh 10 billion nationally. He added that county governments could contribute a similar amount by pooling funds from their bursary programmes.

The national government, he said, would then top up the fund with another KSh 10 billion, creating a KSh 30 billion annual kitty dedicated solely to strengthening secondary education across the country.

Nyoro did not stop at education. He launched a fierce attack on the government’s handling of public asset sales, particularly the proposed sale of its Safaricom shares, questioning the secrecy surrounding the process.

He challenged the Executive for seemingly speaking on behalf of potential buyers instead of Kenyans, arguing that an open and competitive international sale could generate as much as KSh 350 billion for the exchequer.

The MP described the ongoing discussions as opaque and misguided, warning that public wealth was at risk of being disposed of through backroom deals rather than transparent processes.

In a striking remark, Nyoro threatened to release contact details of Vodafone and Vodacom directors, urging Kenyans to directly question them about their role in the Safaricom share talks.

He also raised concerns over the proposed sale of Kenya Pipeline Company shares, claiming that a so-called Ugandan investor linked to the deal is actually a Kenyan, a move he said points to self-interest overriding public good.

Addressing young political aspirants, Nyoro lamented what he called a leadership deficit in the country. He observed that many elected leaders spend their first years in office confused about their mandate instead of delivering development.

He criticized leaders who seek power before forming a clear agenda, describing it as a costly mistake for citizens. Nyoro concluded by linking the education funding stalemate and controversial asset sales to a deeper governance problem that demands transparency, preparedness, and genuine accountability.

S-4000

M-6500

L-7000

S-4000

M-6000

L-14000

Dated:29/1/2026

The County agriculture department said farmers are expected to avail their livestock for vaccination at KSh50 for every head of cattle. This amount is expected to be affordable in order not to deter farmers from this important exercise. 

All Kitui County's 40 wards will be reached says a  report on the exercise seen by MWINGI TIMES. "The campaign targets cattle in all 40 wards and will be carried out by trained veterinary officers administering approved vaccines. This is in line with Governor Dr Malombe’s manifesto," it further said.

The county government's use of e-voucher is expected to improve transparency and efficiency in service delivery.

Agriculture CECM Dr Stephen Mbaya Kimwele called upon all farmers to present their cattle for vaccination.

Dr Kimwele added that his department also plans to continue vaccinating sheep and goats against other diseases.