The High Court in Embu has upheld the election of Leonard Wamuthende Njeru as the validly elected Member of Parliament for Mbeere North, in a ruling delivered on Thursday 21, 2026.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Richard Mwongo, the Embu High Court dismissed a petition that challenged the credibility and integrity of the 2025 by-election.
According to Justice Mwongo, the court found that while several electoral irregularities and possible malpractices were established during the hearing, the petitioner did not prove that the issues had a significant impact on the final election results.
“Having concluded the hearing of the election petition, I certify that the petition was dismissed and the fourth respondent (Leo Wamuthende) remains the duly elected member of Parliament for Mbeere North constituency. This information is transmitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly,” Justice Mwongo ruled.
Justice Mwongo further stated that the ruling would be transmitted to the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
“Certificate of court as to validity of the election under Section 86 of the Elections Act, having concluded the hearing of the election petition, I certify that the petition is dismissed and the fourth respondent remains the duly elected Member of Parliament of Mbeere North Constituency. This information is to be transmitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly,” the justice said.
The case was filed by Newton Kariuki Ndwiga against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Returning Officer John Mwii Kinyua, Curtis Njeru Mawira, and MP Leonard Wamuthende Njeru.
In the petition, Ndwiga challenged the outcome of the November by-election, in which Wa Muthende was declared the winner by a narrow margin of 494 votes, claiming the exercise was marred by widespread irregularities.
Earlier in the proceedings, the court directed that a limited scrutiny and recount be conducted in several polling stations after finding merit in some of the concerns raised by the petitioner.
The exercise focused on polling stations such as Gitiburi 1 and 2, Kaungu, Siakago Social Hall, Mwondu Primary School, Gikuyari Primary School, Nthigirani 1/1, Kamauwa 1/1, Gwakaithi 1/1, Mbaruari 1/1 and Cingera 2/2.
