Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that thousands of elderly Inua Jamii beneficiaries in Mbeere North were threatened and coerced during the recent by-elections.
In an interview on Wednesday, December 10, he claimed that senior citizens were warned that their government stipends would be withdrawn if they voted against the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Gachagua argued that the widespread bribery and intimidation in the constituency influenced the outcome of the mini polls.
"What happened in Mbeere is unacceptable. There was widespread bribery and coercion. Particularly, targeting elderly men and women who are beneficiaries of the cash transfer program.
"Approximately 7000 elderly people in Mbeere were intimidated by chiefs, Nyumba Kumi leaders and local elders who allegedly warned them that if they did not vote for UDA, their cash transfer benefits would be discontinued," he claimed.
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At the same time, Gachagua noted that the by-election should not be used to judge voting patterns in the Mt. Kenya region.
He argued that UDA influenced the contest through heavy spending and intimidation.
"The people of the mountain listen to me, and what happened in Mbeere should not be used as a benchmark. UDA did not win that seat. UDA spent over Ksh800 million bribing voters.
"Even those who claim to have defeated us did so by misusing public funds to bribe people and by mobilizing goons to intimidate their own communities," he said.
Gachagua said his camp had neither the intention nor the ability to deploy violence, criticising President William Ruto and his advisers for allegedly mishandling politics in the region.
"We, on the other hand, have no capacity or intention to mobilize goons against our own people. William Ruto does not understand the mountain, and the young men surrounding him are juveniles," he added.
Gachagua also clarified that he was not claiming the by-elections in areas where his party performed well were perfect, pointing to pressure and attempted interference by senior police officials in Narok.
He noted that the local police commander resisted attempts to hand over operational control to political actors and was later transferred abruptly.
"I am not claiming that the by-elections were conducted properly in the areas where we won. In Narok, it was the resilience of the people that ensured the election took place. The OCS of Narok was reportedly pressured by the DIG to surrender command to a senior politician, but he refused. He was subsequently transferred to Turkana on the 24th, just 2 days before the elections," he further said.
Additionally, Gachagua warned that Kenyans would not tolerate intimidation by state agencies or hired groups in future elections, saying the courage shown by voters in Narok should inspire the rest of the country.
"Kenyans will not accept suppression by police and goons in 2027. What I witnessed in Narok is the kind of civic courage we want to see across the country. As a leader, I am confident that while it may be possible to intimidate people during a by-election, it will not be possible during a general election," he stated.
Gachagua further stated that he would not file court challenges in the constituencies where DCP fielded candidates, despite alleged irregularities.
"I will not be going to court where I had candidates running under DCP. Despite the irregularities, we performed exceptionally well as a party. In Narok Town, even with the violence, voter suppression, bribery and attempts to disrupt the by-elections, DCP still won. DCP is a party formed only 7 months ago," he said.
Gachagua added that the party’s victories had disproved claims that DCP is a tribal outfit, pointing to its win in Khwisero, far from the Mt. Kenya region.
"To the shame of our detractors including William Ruto and others who label our party as tribal, we secured victory in Khwisero which is over 600 km from the mountain region. These by-elections have demonstrated DCP’s national outlook and growing acceptance across Kenya," he noted.
Notably, this comes days after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chair Erastus Edung Ethekon raised concerns over attempts by some political actors to interfere with electoral officials during the recent by-elections.
Speaking on Monday, December 8, he said the commission is committed to serving the country impartially and warned that intimidation of officials threatens the credibility of the electoral process.
Ethekon said the behaviour of some politicians was unnecessary, especially for those confident in their campaigns.
"We said we would serve this country without fear or favour. We witnessed attempts by political actors to try and influence our electoral officials. Sometimes I wonder what value it adds; if you have conducted your campaign properly, why do you have to harass our officers?" he posed.
Ethekon also made it clear that the structure of Kenya’s electoral system makes rigging impossible, adding that observers and the media can confirm the integrity of the process.
"It is high time political actors understand that stealing an election in this country is impossible. Our officers, observers, and the media who witnessed these elections can confirm that it cannot be done," he added.
