Gachagua Accuses State of Using Goons, Armed Police to Influence Mini-Polls

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now claims President William Ruto’s administration used goons and armed police to influence voting in Malava and Mbeere-North constituencies.

Claims of Disruption and Intimidation

On Thursday night, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader accused government officials of funding disruptive groups during the mini-polls.
He said the groups worked with armed officers to interfere with both voting and tallying.

Gachagua warned that the incidents signal a dangerous path as the country moves toward the 2027 General Election.
“Using goons and heavily armed police in civilian clothes to overturn the will of the people sets the stage for serious acrimony ahead of 2027,” he said.

Allegations Against CS Ruku

Gachagua further alleged that Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku stormed Gitiburi Primary polling centre.
He claimed the CS ordered agents out of the station.
According to him, the guards fired at residents who protested the disruption.

He added that the tallying process stopped soon after the chaos.
“He wants to manipulate the results. All men aged 18 to 35 should go there and reclaim the polling centre,” he said.

UDA Wins in Both Constituencies

Meanwhile, Gachagua issued his remarks shortly after UDA candidates won in both areas.
In Malava, UDA’s David Ndakwa garnered 21,564 votes.
DAP-K’s Seth Panyako followed with 20,210 votes.

In Mbeere-North, IEBC declared UDA’s Leonard Wa Muthende the winner with 15,802 votes.
Democratic Party candidate Newton “Karish” Kariuki trailed with 15,308.

Supremacy Battle and Ongoing Accusations

The by-elections were widely seen as a supremacy contest between the united opposition and the Kenya Kwanza government.

Gachagua has intensified his criticism of the state in recent days.
He also claimed attempts at ballot stuffing during the November 27 mini-polls.