Gachagua Criticizes Ruto After DCP's By-Election Victory

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a fresh attack on President William Ruto following the Democracy for Citizens Party's (DCP) victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

Speaking after the results were announced, Gachagua claimed the win marked the beginning of Ruto’s “one-term” journey. He also alleged that during the by-election, one person was killed, 20 others injured, and 68 women raped by hooded gangs, calling for accountability for those responsible.

Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the DCP, is known for his vocal criticism of the current administration and has positioned himself as a significant player in Mount Kenya politics. His party's candidate, Sammy Kamau Ngotho, won the by-election held on July 16, 2026, defeating UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga, a result that Gachagua celebrated as a historic milestone for his party.

The Ol Kalou by-election was seen as a political test between Gachagua's DCP and Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA), reflecting the shifting power dynamics in Mount Kenya ahead of the 2027 general elections. Gachagua had previously criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over threats to cancel the election, alleging that Ruto sensed defeat. He also accused Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of plotting to disrupt the election by deploying a large police presence.

As the political landscape in Kenya evolves, Gachagua's comments and the DCP's victory could signal a significant shift in voter sentiment in Mount Kenya, a region that has traditionally been a stronghold for Ruto's UDA. The outcome of this by-election may have lasting implications for both Gachagua and Ruto as they prepare for the upcoming elections.

#riggyg