NAIROBI, Kenya — Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against allegedly inciting violence ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, as both leaders exchanged sharp accusations over the security situation in the constituency.
The public exchange marks the latest escalation in an increasingly bitter political contest that has turned the Nyandarua by-election into a major test of political influence between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
In a statement on Wednesday, Murkomen accused Gachagua of engaging in what he termed “reverse psychology” and cautioned against any attempts to foment unrest during the campaigns.
“Mr Rigathi Gachagua, we know your gimmicks and juvenile attempts at reverse psychology. Try violence in Ol Kalou, and you will see,” Murkomen said.
“To anyone being recruited to violence by Mr Gachagua, keep off because the consequences will be dire.”
Gachagua Alleges Intimidation
Murkomen’s remarks came in response to claims by Gachagua that the government had deployed security operatives and state-sponsored goons to intimidate DCP supporters in Ol Kalou.
In a statement posted on his social media platforms, Gachagua alleged that a “Nairobi Sierra killer squad” linked to the Interior Cabinet Secretary had been dispatched to disrupt his party’s campaigns.
“Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen has dispatched Nairobi Sierra killer squad that attacked Witima ACK Church to cause mayhem in Ol Kalou. They arrived three hours ago and started abductions and indiscriminate beatings on DCP campaigners,” Gachagua claimed.
He further alleged that DCP campaign teams had been confined at a hotel while individuals he described as state-sponsored militia attempted to break into the premises.
“Our teams are held up at Royal Garden Hotel under brutal police and State-sponsored militia. Goons are currently breaking into the hotel. Thank you Ol Kalou people for resisting this killer squad. Ol Kalou is not Mbeere!”
ChatGPT could not independently verify Gachagua’s allegations. Murkomen also did not directly respond to the specific claims of abductions, assaults or the alleged deployment of armed groups.
Political Stakes Rise
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election has emerged as one of the most closely watched political contests since Gachagua’s fallout with President William Ruto.
The race is widely viewed as an indicator of political support in the Mt. Kenya region, where both UDA and DCP are seeking to consolidate their influence ahead of future elections.
Opposition leaders have repeatedly accused the government of using state resources to campaign for the ruling party’s candidate.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, an ally of Gachagua, recently alleged that Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries had turned official government programmes into campaign platforms.
“The Cabinet Secretaries have now become shameless. They are putting their faces, those of PSs and that of the candidate on government programmes,” Muriu said.
“They are issuing title deeds and building markets using public resources to galvanise support for the UDA candidate. If that is not malpractice, what is it?”
The government has not publicly responded to Muriu’s allegations.
Nine Candidates Cleared
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared nine candidates to contest the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat.
The contest is expected to be led by DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho, a former Member of the County Assembly who won the party nomination with 12,957 votes. His main challenger is UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga.
Other candidates, including Wakili Kiragu Wathuta and Isaac Ndirangu, are also in the race.
Following their clearance by the electoral commission, all nine candidates pledged to conduct peaceful campaigns despite heightened political competition.