NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has sharply dismissed accusations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that he worked with President William Ruto to influence the Mbeere North by-election, escalating an already tense political rivalry in the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua, speaking in a televised interview on Wednesday, claimed the government enlisted Kuria to tilt the vote against the Democratic Party (DP) candidate Newton Kariuki.
He alleged that Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party was used as a political decoy after Duncan Mbui—initially Gachagua’s preferred candidate—defected and secured the CCK ticket.
In a swift rebuttal on social media, Kuria accused Gachagua of issuing contradictory claims and urged him to state clearly whether he believed his candidate’s votes were stolen or taken by Kuria himself.
“My brother Rigathi Gachagua, make up your mind. Is it me who took your votes, or were your votes stolen?” Kuria posted.
Gachagua had explained that after consulting elders, he agreed to withdraw Mbui from the DCP ticket due to clan dynamics, arguing that fielding two candidates from the same clan would divide the vote. Mbui, after being dropped, defected to CCK, prompting Gachagua to allege a broader scheme by the government to dilute Kariuki’s support base.
“The government approached Kuria. His party, CCK, is one of the many wheelbarrows in the mountain. President Ruto called Kuria to get Mbui. He got 2,500 votes; because of the clan dynamics, those votes would have gone to Newton Kariuki,” Gachagua claimed.
The November 27 by-election saw UDA’s Leo Wa Muthende clinch victory with 15,802 votes, narrowly defeating Kariuki, who garnered 15,308 votes. Mbui came in third with 2,480 votes, becoming the focal point of the post-election dispute.
The contest was the first major political showdown since Gachagua’s removal from office, setting the stage for a wider contest for influence between the former DP and President Ruto’s allies. The accusations have intensified rifts within Mt Kenya political circles, with both camps trading blame over the razor-thin margin.
Kuria has since announced that CCK will join Kariuki’s election petition as an interested party, insisting that the courts offer the best platform for Gachagua to substantiate his allegations.
He further accused Gachagua of attempting to impose “political dictatorship” in the Mt Kenya region, vowing to resist any efforts to consolidate power under a single political faction.
The unfolding dispute highlights deepening fractures within the region’s political hierarchy as leaders reposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
