In a dramatic claim, Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has alleged that the Kenya Kwanza government, led by President William Ruto, masterminded a plot to scatter opposition votes during the Mbeere North by-elections. Speaking on the evening of Wednesday, December 10, Gachagua accused Ruto of collaborating with Moses Kuria, his former Senior Economic Advisor, to divide the Mount Kenya votes, which ultimately undermined the opposition candidate, Newton Kariuki, popularly known as “Karish.”
The by-election, held on November 27, saw Leonard Muriuki Wa Muthende, a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, narrowly win with 15,802 votes. Karish, running under the Democratic Party (DP), came in second with 15,308 votes, in what became one of the closest contests in recent times.
Gachagua’s Allegations
During his address, Gachagua detailed how the elders of the Mbeere region had initially approached him regarding the clan dynamics in the area. He explained that the Mbeere community wanted to avoid a split in the votes, and they suggested that he withdraw his DCP candidate to unite the vote under Karish, who hails from a prominent clan in the region.
“They asked me to step down so that this clan could have one candidate, so I withdrew the DCP candidate,” Gachagua explained.
However, according to Gachagua, the opposition’s chances were compromised when Moses Kuria, who had since left Ruto’s government to focus on his Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party, fielded a candidate in the race. The candidate, Duncan Mbui, received a mere 2,500 votes, but these votes were pivotal, especially given the clan dynamics in Mbeere.
“Those votes, because of clan dynamics, could have gone to Newton Karish,” Gachagua said. He went on to allege that the government had approached Moses Kuria to field a candidate who would divide the vote and weaken Karish’s chances.
Kuria’s Denial and Political Context
Moses Kuria has repeatedly denied accusations from the opposition that his party, CCK, is a “wheelbarrow” party strategically placed in Mount Kenya by the government to undermine opposition candidates. Despite these denials, the claims from Gachagua have ignited a debate over the role of smaller parties in Kenya’s political landscape.
Kuria, having exited the government, focused on strengthening his political vehicle, CCK, and fielded a candidate in Mbeere North to challenge the dominance of the UDA and other opposition forces in the region.
DCP’s Performance in the By-Elections
Despite the challenges in Mbeere North, Gachagua expressed satisfaction with his party’s performance in the by-elections. The DCP, which is barely seven months old, managed to secure three elective seats across different counties. The party won the Narok Town Ward in Narok County through Douglas Masikonde, Kariobangi North Ward in Nairobi County via David Wanyoike Warui, and Kisa East Ward in Kakamega County, where Dickson Okwiri Aduda emerged victorious.
Gachagua touted the by-elections as a stepping stone for DCP, showcasing the party’s growing influence and acceptance. He emphasized that this was just the beginning and that the main political battles were yet to come.
The Path Ahead and Legal Challenges
Although Gachagua expressed contentment with his party’s results, he acknowledged that some opposition parties may choose to challenge the election outcomes in court. He pledged his support for these efforts, highlighting the importance of a fair and transparent electoral process in Kenya.
“We know that many will challenge the results in court. I will support those who wish to pursue legal means,” Gachagua concluded.
Conclusion
The claims made by Gachagua about the Mbeere North by-election have sparked a fresh round of political discussions, particularly regarding the influence of small parties like Moses Kuria’s CCK. While Gachagua’s party, DCP, made notable gains, the allegations of vote manipulation, and the role of the Kenya Kwanza government, have placed the spotlight on the increasingly competitive nature of Kenya’s political scene.
