Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende has revealed that his decision to change his name from Leonard Muriuki Njeru to Leonard Wamuthende was purely political, dismissing widespread speculation linking it to past controversies.
Speaking during an interview on TV47 on Monday, January 19 night, Wamuthende said, “I have actually managed to forget that name. This is a matter in court that I don’t know if I can talk about, but I had good reasons. I still have my ID number; it was related to politics, and I’m happy I did it.”
When asked whether the name change had any connection to the Kenyatta National Hospital oxygen scandal, valued at over KSh400 million, Wamuthende was categorical: “It had nothing to do with it; if all those documents have my ID number, I am still the same person,” Wamuthende said.
“That was very sensational. I remember the opposition pushed to have me on national headlines, made copies, and distributed them, but people know me,” he added
The MP, who ran on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, also addressed allegations of wrongdoing, saying, “I have never stolen, and I’m not planning to. The EACC is an independent body and is free to do its investigations and come up with reports, and I am free to defend myself.”
Wamuthende’s political journey to the National Assembly followed a hotly contested by-election on November 27, 2025, triggered after former MP Geoffrey Ruku was elevated to the Cabinet.
Wamuthende’s campaign benefited from strong government backing, including active on-the-ground support from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who helped position him as the system’s choice for development.
He clinched the seat with a narrow margin, securing 15082 votes to defeat his closest rival, Newton Karis of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), who garnered 15038 votes.
