Once known as Leonard Muriuki Njeru, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirant Leo Wamuthende is now confronting the most defining political test of his career in the November 27 by-election in Mbeere North. His campaign is unfolding under the cloud of a corruption probe involving a Sh433 million medical oxygen tender, a scandal whose impact extends far beyond the political field into the critical healthcare sector.
Yet despite the heated scrutiny, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared him to vie, and influential figures in government, among them Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, have come out in his defence. This raises questions that might never be answered in time. With tensions mounting and integrity becoming a central campaign theme, Leo Wamuthende is fighting on two fronts: convincing institutions he did no wrong, and persuading the people of Mbeere North that he deserves their trust.
The Biomax Africa Oxygen Tender Intrigues
The controversy surrounding Leo Wamuthende stems from the 2022 award of a Sh433 million tender to Biomax Africa Ltd, a company linked to him, to supply and install an oxygen gas plant capable of producing 8,000 litres of oxygen per minute. This facility was expected to bolster Kenyatta National Hospital’s (KNH) oxygen infrastructure amid heightened demand.
Instead, the tender would become a centrepiece of an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). According to investigators, Biomax Africa allegedly used forged documents to secure the lucrative contract. Two years later, the project remains incomplete, forcing KNH to continue spending heavily, over Sh565 million to date, on external oxygen supplies.
For the EACC, this represents a double failure: loss of public funds and continued reliance on outsourced oxygen, a critical resource in a major national referral hospital. For Leo Wamuthende, however, it is an accusation he insists is politically weaponised, especially now that he has emerged as President William Ruto’s preferred candidate.
The EACC has signaled intent to prosecute, setting up a potential legal showdown that could reverberate beyond the by-election. Although no conviction or formal charges have been confirmed yet, the cloud of suspicion is heavy, and his opponents in Mbeere North have not hesitated to leverage it.
Ruto’s Backing and the Political Shield Around Wamuthende
In Kenya’s electoral politics, endorsements matter, and Leo Wamuthende enjoys one of the most powerful: the backing of President Ruto and the UDA machinery. This institutional support is the first pillar in his fight to clear his name and reposition himself as a credible leader.
Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and described Wamuthende as a hardworking professional with a biochemistry degree. These statements are strategic: they frame him as a victim of malicious politics and seek to shift the public conversation from scandal to competence.
UDA’s endorsement also signals the party’s confidence that he can withstand the storm and deliver a win. With Mbeere North historically leaning toward ruling coalitions, and with UDA’s grassroots mobilization power, Wamuthende enters the race with a formidable political infrastructure behind him.
But political backing can only go so far. Ultimately, the voters will make the final call. And they are watching closely.
Rival Newton Karis Is The Epitome of Integrity In Mbeere North
Opposition candidate Newton Kariuki Karis has centered his campaign narrative on integrity, transparency, and ethical leadership, a direct counter to the controversies engulfing Leo Wamuthende. By emphasising moral leadership, Karis seeks to tap into frustrations among constituents who feel betrayed by leaders implicated in scandals.
In many ways, this has turned the contest into a referendum on accountability versus loyalty to the ruling party. Karis is banking on the argument that leadership in Mbeere North must not be entangled in pending corruption questions, especially involving essential healthcare infrastructure.
This strategy places Wamuthende under constant pressure to explain himself, even as EACC investigations progress.
Wamuthende’s Past Is A Mysterious Dark Cloud
Before politics thrust him into the national limelight, Leo Wamuthende had built a profile as a businessman in the biomedical and technology sectors. For his supporters, this entrepreneurial track record demonstrates competence and innovation. But for critics, it paints a picture of a man operating in sectors where procurement loopholes and high-level connections can easily be exploited.
The oxygen plant scandal adds to existing suspicions. The unfinished project, combined with the allegedly forged documentation, creates a narrative that opponents frame as emblematic of broader governance failures. If not handled decisively, these questions risk becoming a permanent feature of his political brand.
For Wamuthende, therefore, clearing his name is not only a matter of legal survival but a prerequisite to maintain political viability in the long term.
Can Leo Wamuthende Overcome a Tainted Past?
Despite the controversies, Leo Wamuthende remains a strong contender because UDA’s dominance in the region continues to give him a substantial advantage. The party’s ground network and association with development projects resonate strongly with many rural voters.
His campaign is also strengthened by direct presidential backing. For a significant section of the electorate, President Ruto’s endorsement signals legitimacy and reliability, making any attack on Wamuthende appear politically motivated rather than issue-based.
Wamuthende further benefits from the fact that he has not been convicted of any offence. With no formal charges or court judgment against him, he can argue that the allegations are premature or driven by political interests.
He also retains a strong grassroots presence. His investment in local mobilization and community outreach has built a support base that remains loyal despite the ongoing scrutiny.
However, these advantages are undermined by persistent vulnerabilities. Public perception of his integrity remains low, largely due to the high-profile oxygen plant scandal, which touches on a sensitive sector tied to public health and human life.
His rival Newton Karis has also shaped an effective message centered on transparency and ethical leadership. This narrative is drawing in undecided voters who are wary of candidates facing corruption questions.
The ongoing EACC probe adds further uncertainty. Any adverse findings or new revelations could quickly destabilize Wamuthende’s campaign and erode the fragile trust he has worked to rebuild.
In the end, his chances remain viable but extremely delicate, with the outcome likely hinging on how the integrity question evolves in the final days before the vote.
What Leo Wamuthende Must Do to Stay Relevant and Win Back Trust
For Leo Wamuthende to rebuild credibility in Mbeere North, he must begin with radical transparency. Instead of dismissing the allegations, he needs to present clear, evidence-backed explanations about the Biomax Africa tender to reassure voters who are demanding honesty over defensiveness.
He also needs to show contrition where necessary. Even if he maintains his innocence, acknowledging the public frustration caused by the stalled oxygen plant and KNH’s soaring costs could help soften perceptions and demonstrate humility.
Reinventing his campaign narrative is equally important. He must shift the conversation from scandal to solutions by outlining what he intends to deliver for Mbeere North, especially in areas like roads, water supply, agriculture, youth employment, and digital opportunities.
Strengthening community outreach will further bolster his image. Engaging residents through door-to-door visits, consultations with elders, and meetings with religious leaders can rebuild trust and reconnect him with the grassroots.
It would also help him to distance himself from political theatrics. Allowing allies and party surrogates to handle aggressive defenses while he focuses on policy could make him appear more mature and statesmanlike.
He must commit to accountability measures. A clear pledge to enforce transparent procurement processes in constituency projects would send a strong signal that he is ready to break from controversy and embrace ethical leadership.
The big question for voters is not just whether Leo Wamuthende is innocent or guilty, but whether he can deliver tangible change. If he successfully addresses the allegations, repositions himself as a reform-minded candidate, and builds a coalition of trust, he could still emerge victorious.
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