Gachagua blames 5 Mt Kenya MPs for Ol Kalou by-election violence, calls for IEBC disbandment

In a press briefing, Gachagua accused Nominated Senator Sabina Chege, Kiambaa MP John Njuguna Kawanjiku, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi, Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina and Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha for alleged betrayal of the community, citing that they operated under President William Ruto's instructions. 

According to Gachagua, the lawmakers control three killer police squads used in causing chaos during events and the Ol Kalou mini-polls. 

The former Deputy President, however, did not provide evidence to back the allegations. 

"At around 12 noon the UDA team realised they have lost the elections, where our candidate is leading with almost 95% of the votes that have been cast and that's when they decided to execute plan B, authorised by President Ruto to cause chaos and mayhem, attack polling stations, chase agents, beat up election officials, chases away observers and exchange votes with marked ballot papers," Gachagua alleged. 

"The three killer squads are under the control of the following MPs and we're ashamed they are people from this region who are brutalising their community under the instruction of President Ruto: Sabina Chege, Kawanjiku, Eric Wamumbi, Betty Maina and Wamuratha. MP for Nakuru East Gikaria has been organising goons from Nakuru," Gachagua alleged. 

The former DP also questioned Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon's silence despite violence recurring in several polling stations in Ol Kalou.

"I have been told they are planning to storm all polling stations and I'm surprised Ethekon and his team have said nothing because they are part of it. It is clear that we shall not have a peaceful general election. I think Ol Kalou is a rehearsal for President Ruto on how to use rogue police to subvert the people's will," he claimed. 

"I want to tell IEBC from what has happened, we will be mobilising people to call for your disbandment, You are an embarassment to the people of Kenya."

Gachagua called on Ol Kalou residents to barricade the polling stations from any goons seeking to 'subvert the people's will.'

"I am calling on the people of Ol Kalou all of them who voted, to go back to the polling stations and fortify and barricade them to ensure the will of people isn't subverted," he appealed. 

"I am not convinced that when Ruto sent police officers to Haiti, the intention was never to help them but to benchmark and learn how to work with criminals and goons to assist him to be re-elected."

His remarks come as chaos erupted on Thursday afternoon after armed, hooded men stormed several polling stations and fired teargas to disperse crowds including journalists. The National Police Service (NPS) is yet to issue a statement on the incident.