The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has dismissed allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries are interfering in the Ol Kalou by-election through campaigns and voter bribery.
In a statement issued on July 15, the ruling party accused Gachagua of making unsubstantiated claims against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), arguing that he had failed to provide evidence supporting his accusations against state officials.
UDA described the allegations as reckless, saying the former Deputy President had listed several government officials without providing proof of wrongdoing.
“A dramatic list of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries allegedly campaigning and bribing in OlKalou Constituency has been recklessly referenced, without a particle of evidence,” UDA stated.
The party further argued that any claims of bribery or undue influence should be handled through established legal channels rather than through public accusations.
“This is a sensational call for the next conspiracy episode. Where it exists, admissible evidence of bribery or undue influence should be addressed through lawful structures, not by a scattergun letter to the IEBC,” the party added.
Gachagua, in an eight-page letter sent to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon on July 14, accused several government officials of allegedly interfering with the electoral process ahead of the Ol Kalou Constituency by-election.
Among those named were Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, ICT CS William Kabogo, Roads CS Davis Chirchir and Tourism CS Rebecca Miano.
The former Deputy President also listed Principal Secretaries Nixon Korir, Patrick Mariru, Alex Wachira, Joseph Mbugua, Mary Muthoni and Ann Wang'ombe, claiming they were involved in activities aimed at influencing the election outcome.
UDA further accused Gachagua of applying double standards by raising concerns over electoral issues in Ol Kalou while remaining silent on alleged political violence involving his allies.
The party referenced previous by-elections in Malava, Mbeere North and Narok Town, where Gachagua had also raised concerns, arguing that he had failed to address allegations involving politicians aligned with him.
UDA specifically cited the case of Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, a close ally of Gachagua, claiming she had previously faced accusations related to incitement and threats against Ol Kalou residents.
“The case of Hon. Wanjiku Muhia has been invoked as proof of IEBC bias. It is in the public domain that Hon. Wanjiku Muhia was indicted for inciting violence, intimidation and threatening Ol Kalou residents with death,” UDA stated.
The party accused Gachagua of failing to condemn remarks and actions by his political allies while accusing others of undermining electoral processes.
UDA also challenged Gachagua’s interpretation of a 2022 High Court ruling on election conduct, arguing that he had overlooked subsequent decisions from higher courts that had shaped electoral law.
The ruling party maintained that the deployment of more than 2,000 security officers during elections is a responsibility of the Inspector General of Police and not political actors, contradicting concerns raised by the former Deputy President.