‘Ol Kalou by-election marks UDA's death in Mt. Kenya’ Gachagua blasts Ruto for bribery, violence

Speaking in Nyahururu on Friday ahead of a thanksgiving tour of Ol Kalou Constituency following DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho's landslide victory, Gachagua claimed the government deployed unprecedented financial resources, security personnel and senior State officials in a failed attempt to influence the outcome of the by-election.

He alleged that the government deployed development projects worth Ksh.14 billion and distributed Ksh.1.1 billion in cash during the campaign period, alongside donations of household items and equipment, in an effort to sway voters.

"William Ruto flloded Ol Kalou Constituency with obscene amounts of money; Ksh.14 billion in projects over three months and Ksh.1.1 billion directly in cash. He stripped matresses from hospital wards to donate. He brought gas cylinders and even speed boats in dams where there are no fish or fingerings," Gachagua said.

According to the former deputy president, despite the heavy State presence, Ol Kalou residents rejected what he termed attempts to "buy" the election.

"Dirty money cannot alter President Ruto's political fate in 2027," Gachagua said, adding that "the people stood their ground and refused to be deceived."

Gachagua further claimed that Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and numerous government officials were dispatched to campaign for the ruling party's candidate, further claiming that the number of State officials in the constituency surpassed that of ordinary voters.

"William Ruto sent the entire State machinery to Ol Kalou; CSs, and PSs... to campaign and camp in Ol Kalou for three months, bribing people and policing projects. MPs were all over Ol Kalou with sacks of money," claimed Gachagua.

Additionally, Gachagua accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of authorising the deployment of "goons" and named several politicians and government allies whom he alleged coordinated different groups involved in the violence and campaign operations.

The DCP leader also called for the release of young people arrested during the by-election, alleging they had been detained on what he termed fabricated charges.

Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, Gachagua warned that failure to address alleged electoral violence and impunity could undermine confidence in the country's democratic process.

"If what happened in Ol Kalou is allowed to continue, then 2027 could become a violent election that creates room for anarchy," he said.

He nevertheless maintained that the Ol Kalou result had demonstrated that voters could overcome what he described as overwhelming State interference.

Gachagua declared that the by-election marked "the political death of UDA in Mt Kenya," claiming the ruling party had lost public support in the region despite deploying significant government resources.

"...for the avoidance of doubt this by -election of UDA in this region. William Ruto knows it and we are aware he is already scheming he intends to introduce different coloured wheelbarrows to accomondate his allies who now know they accot survive with UDA," said Gachagua.

The DCP leader concluded by inviting aspiring candidates interested in contesting on the party's ticket to come forward, expressing confidence that the party would continue expanding its political influence across the region.