Gachagua Explains How He Lost in Mbeere NorthAccuse the Government of Orchestrating Vote Split in Tense By-Election
A fierce political controversy has erupted following the recent Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, with Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of a deliberate plot to fragment opposition votes and sway the result.
In a charged statement on Wednesday evening, Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto collaborated with his former Senior Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, to use Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party as a strategic “wheelbarrow” — a political spoiler aimed at dividing the Mount Kenya electorate.
The by-election, held on November 27, saw United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Muriuki Wa Muthende clinch victory with 15,802 votes. He narrowly beat Democratic Party’s Newton Kariuki, popularly known as “Karish,” who secured 15,308 votes a margin of less than 500 votes in one of the closest races in recent memory.
Gachagua claimed that an arrangement had been made to consolidate support behind Karish, including the withdrawal of his own DCP candidate from the race. However, he asserted that the plan was sabotaged when Kuria, allegedly prompted by the government, fielded candidate Duncan Mbui, who went on to draw 2,500 votes.
“Those votes, because of clan dynamics, could have gone to Newton Karish,” Gachagua insisted. “His party is one of the many wheelbarrows. They asked Kuria to field a guy who got 2500 votes… all to scatter the opposition.”
The DCP leader further criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over the conduct of the polls but expressed satisfaction with his fledgling party’s overall performance in other by-elections held the same day. The seven-month-old DCP secured three ward seats across Narok, Nairobi, and Kakamega counties.
“The by-elections gave DCP a chance to show its outlook and acceptance, and this is the party to watch,” Gachagua said. “This was a small dance, and we are looking forward to the main dance.”
While stating he would not legally challenge the Mbeere North outcome, Gachagua pledged support for any opposition parties choosing to pursue litigation.
Moses Kuria, who left Ruto’s government earlier this year, has previously denied that his CCK party is a proxy designed to weaken the opposition in the Mount Kenya region. He has maintained that his focus is on building the party as a legitimate political vehicle.
The allegations have stirred tensions within Kenya’s political landscape, highlighting the volatile clan-based calculations and tactical maneuvering that continue to define local electoral battles ahead of the next general election.
As of now, State House has not issued a response to the accusations.
