MALINDI, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has threatened legal action against Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of making false and defamatory claims that the party—together with the electoral commission—planned to rig the upcoming Magarini by-election.
ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir on Monday evening condemned Gachagua’s remarks as reckless and aimed at eroding public confidence in the poll.
He urged Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro to initiate legal proceedings, insisting the allegations amounted to character assassination.
“If I were the governor of Kilifi and such allegations came to me, I would strongly consider suing that gentleman who, to me, is a former disgraced Deputy President, nothing else,” Nassir said, accusing Gachagua of manufacturing controversy to draw attention to his party.
Nassir dismissed claims that Governor Mung’aro used county funds to support ODM candidate Harrison Garama Kombe, stressing that the campaign was privately financed through individual contributions.
“He should leave us. If he had evidence, he should have come forward. His comments are uncalled for,” he said, adding that ODM’s grassroots campaign had gained strong traction across Magarini.
Nassir further accused rival parties of “sensing defeat,” saying their accusations were a political tactic meant to sow doubt ahead of the vote. He urged supporters to remain calm and turn out in large numbers, calling on state agencies and the IEBC to ensure order and credibility.
Meanwhile, Governor Mung’aro has formally demanded an apology from Gachagua over the rigging and corruption allegations made during a Sunday evening television interview.
Through his lawyers, Mung’aro said the claims were “misleading, degrading and alarmist,” and warned that failure to retract them would trigger legal action.
In a detailed letter, the governor’s legal team outlined his movements on the dates cited by Gachagua, noting that he was holding rallies and meeting elders in Adu Ward, and later spending the evenings at Kudu Camp in Chakama and Lion in the Sun in Malindi.
They stressed he did not meet IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah and had not interacted with any senior IEBC officials or received any list of presiding officers.
The lawyers argued that Gachagua’s remarks did not align with the governor’s documented schedule and appeared designed to stir unnecessary tension ahead of the by-election.
Polling in Magarini is expected to take place under heightened scrutiny, with both parties urging authorities to guarantee a peaceful and credible process.
