Why Ol Kalou's DCP win is a manifestation of what awaits Ruto in 2027

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, has termed his party's resounding victory in the just-concluded Ol Kalou by-election as a preview of what awaits President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua, who led a series of whistle-stop rallies in Ol Kalou yesterday, said the victory had given DCP fresh impetus to relegate President Ruto to a one-term presidency following the election of Samuel Kamau as the area's MP-elect.

Kamau garnered 35,400 votes, while his closest rival, UDA's Samuel Muchina, managed 5,500.

While leading the day-long thank-you tour of Ol Kalou, Gachagua also put those he termed traitors to the Mt Kenya region on notice, vowing to ensure they were not re-elected.

"I am a person who listens to the ground. I listen to the people. All over this country, people have told me they are done with William Ruto. It is finished, Mr President. The people are resolute that they will not vote for this rogue administration again," said Gachagua.

During the tour, he traversed all the wards in the constituency, making stopovers at Ndundori Gwa Kiongo, Ngorika, Tumaini, Ol Kalou town and Miharati.

Reveling in victory, the former Deputy President claimed Kamau's crushing defeat of UDA candidate Samuel Muchina marked the region's official divorce from President Ruto's party.

He further argued that the by-election had been a dress rehearsal for 2027 and that its outcome had established a template for how Kenyans should defend their votes and ensure the defeat of the current administration.

"As we went into this by-election, the people of Ol Kalou were keenly aware that this was about more than electing a Member of Parliament. William Ruto was going to pilot his strategy to steal the General Election. It was incumbent upon us to pilot our strategy to counter his designs, which we have now established. Even if he changes a single dot, we have the web," remarked Gachagua.

"The great people of Ol Kalou had a national responsibility to create the template that all of Kenya will follow to defend their victory. The results are in, and Ol Kalou has delivered."

The DCP leader went on to taunt the Head of State, claiming that despite Ruto's efforts to flood Ol Kalou Constituency with Sh14 billion worth of projects over three months, Sh1 billion in cash, mattresses, gas cylinders and even speedboats, he failed to sway the will of the people.

"In full view of the country, William Ruto shamelessly tried to bribe the voters. The people stood their ground and said no. I now want to confirm to the people of Kenya that dirty money cannot alter the fate of William Ruto in 2027," Gachagua said amid cheers and applause.

Gachagua also took the opportunity to castigate UDA leaders who spearheaded campaigns in Ol Kalou, accusing them of masterminding the chaos witnessed on Thursday that left one person dead and 20 others injured.

He alleged that three police units operated in Ol Kalou on Thursday. One, he claimed, took orders from Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi and his wife, the Murang'a Woman Representative. The second, he said, took instructions from Dennis Itumbi, while the third answered to Charles Karondo, chairman of the Communications Authority board.

He further alleged that the goons who terrorised the constituency were coordinated by Moses Kuria, Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, Kiambaa MP John Kawanjiku and Sabina Chege. He added that National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah oversaw the financing.

He was convinced that all this was done with the express authority of President Ruto and the operational support of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

"William Ruto, you have turned Kenya into a haven for wanton theft to raise funds to buy your re-election. You have turned our country into a playground for goons and death squads to intimidate Kenyans into compliance for your re-election. Through Ol Kalou, the people of Kenya have given you their reply," said the former Deputy President.

"In light of the open brutality witnessed yesterday and the complicity of IEBC commissioners, we must confront the uncomfortable reality that 2027 will likely be a violent election. Thankfully, the people of Ol Kalou have provided a template for what must be done.

When the people stand resolute, the State cannot change the result. Violence from police and goons cannot change the result. A compromised IEBC cannot change the result. However far this administration is willing to go, however dark its schemes, Ol Kalou has proven one thing beyond doubt: they cannot overpower all of us."

At the same time, Gachagua revealed a DCP plan to mobilise 7.1 million votes from the Mt Kenya region, which he said would be enough to hand President Ruto an overwhelming defeat.

"History has shown us that Mt Kenya's political direction is determined in a by-election. TNA came into its own in 2012 with the Kangema by-election. UDA became the party of choice in 2021 after the Kiambaa by-election. DCP has now delivered its first Member of Parliament in Ol Kalou, and we are ready to build on it."

Kamau, the MP-elect, thanked the electorate and promised to hit the ground running.

"I want to thank the people of Ol Kalou because you withstood all forms of bribery, violence and even bullets from the government but voted wisely. You protected our votes, and I owe my presence here to you. I will work for you and defend the interests of this constituency," he said.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu expressed concern over the violence that marred the by-election, warning that such incidents should not become a feature of Kenya's elections.

"We cannot normalise this kind of violence during elections. If this is happening just after the election, I wonder what will happen in 2027," he said.

Methu said armed individuals intimidated voters during the exercise, arguing that the incidents suppressed voter turnout.

"We actually feel this vote could have reached 60,000 or even 70,000. There was serious voter suppression when those people were shooting everywhere. Everybody was worried about their safety," he said.

The senator also disclosed that he had received reports of a fatality linked to the violence.

"Nobody should lose their life because we have an election. We can compete on ideas," he added.

Their remarks came after an eventful night as supporters poured onto the streets to celebrate Kamau's victory. Even before the final tally was announced, residents were convinced he had won and filled the streets with song and dance.

Although police initially dispersed the celebrations, officers and supporters later escorted ballot boxes from A.C. Ol Kalou Secondary School to the main tallying centre at Ol Kalou Secondary School.

They arrived at about 10 pm, where hundreds camped outside the gates singing and dancing until the official results were announced at 6 am yesterday.