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Gachagua alleges plot to rig Ol Kalou by-election
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has alleged a plot to rig the Ol Kalou by-election, claiming the violence witnessed during Thursday's poll was orchestrated by some Mt Kenya leaders allied to the government to force the cancellation of the election.
Speaking at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri, Mr Gachagua accused the government of using armed gangs to disrupt voting, alleging that the violence was intended to give the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) grounds to nullify the election.
Panic gripped Ol Kalou town after masked individuals lobbed teargas near St Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive School polling centre, sending residents fleeing during the parliamentary by-election.
The situation intensified after several Toyota Prado vehicles drove into the area carrying masked individuals dressed in balaclavas.
"They are moving around in broad daylight carrying rifles and wearing masks, yet the IEBC is silent. Ol Kalou is a pilot of what will happen next year," he warned.
Mr Gachagua further alleged that armed men, whom he claimed were being protected by police officers, had retreated to a hotel after disrupting voting to plan how to interfere with the counting of ballots.
"The violence we are witnessing today is a picture of what is likely to happen during the 2027 General Election. The National Police Service has transformed into a rogue outfit," he said.
The former Deputy President also claimed that despite what he described as widespread voter bribery during the campaign period, residents had already made up their minds on whom they wanted to elect.
Mr Gachagua said DCP was confident of victory and urged supporters to remain vigilant.
He said the party would relay results in real time and opposed any extension of voting beyond the official closing time of 5pm, arguing that it would create an opportunity for further violence during counting and tallying.
"We do not want voting extended beyond 5pm because that is part of the scheme to unleash more violence during counting. Those who will not have voted by then should leave the polling stations," he said.
Mr Gachagua urged supporters to remain vigilant.
The Ol Kalou by-election attracted nine candidates, with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho emerging as the leading contenders.
Voting started at 6am and was scheduled to close at 5pm before counting began.
Voters throng Huruma Primary school in Ol Kalou on July 16, 2026 to cast their votes.
Ol Kalou Constituency has 73,480 registered voters and 144 polling stations spread across five wards.
On Wednesday evening, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen ordered investigations into an incident in which suspected plainclothes police officers allegedly fired teargas at bystanders during the Ol Kalou by-election.
The CS warned that the government would take firm action against any rogue police officers involved in the alleged attack.
"The Inspector-General of Police deployed enough security for the Ol Kalou by-election, and those involved in the chaos must be investigated because we do not condone such acts," Mr Murkomen said.
He spoke during a special address to the Trans Nzoia County Assembly, attended by more than 15 of the county's 33 MCAs, alongside Deputy Inspector-General Gilbert Masengeli, senior government officials and members of the county security team.
