Gachagua: Why Ruto Will Not Be Able to Steal the 2027 General Election

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has said President William Ruto will not be able to influence the outcome of the 2027 General Election, arguing that Kenyans are increasingly prepared to protect the integrity of their votes.

Speaking during a live interview from his Karen residence, the former Deputy President cited the recent Ol Kalou by-election as evidence that intimidation had failed to influence voters. He described the contest as a model for safeguarding votes in future elections, saying that casting a ballot alone was not enough. 

"Voting is not enough; you vote and protect the vote. We now have a template from the Ol Kalou by-election," he said.

Gachagua said attempts to discourage voter turnout in Ol Kalou had been resisted, with residents refusing to yield to pressure. He alleged that despite the deployment of police and what he described as organised voter suppression, voters remained determined. According to him, opposition supporters are now studying the events in Ol Kalou as an example of how to resist interference during elections.

He also criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), accusing it of failing to address alleged irregularities during the by-election. Gachagua claimed that voter bribery and intimidation went unchecked and alleged that two people died while trying to protect ballots. He said the events reinforced his concerns about the commission's ability to conduct a credible national election.

Gachagua also directed criticism at President Ruto, accusing him of betraying voters in the Mt Kenya region. He said the outcome of the Ol Kalou by-election should serve as a warning to the Kenya Kwanza administration, arguing that it showed voters were no longer willing to be intimidated by state institutions ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The DCP leader also referred to the Mbeere North by-election, where his party was defeated. He alleged that widespread voter bribery and intimidation of elderly voters contributed to the loss, adding that DCP had failed to adequately protect its votes. He claimed some voters were forced to photograph their ballot papers as proof of compliance before receiving bribes.

Although he welcomed DCP's victory in Ol Kalou, Gachagua argued that the party would have secured a larger margin had there not been voter suppression and police intimidation. He said protecting votes had become essential to prevent what he described as systematic attempts to interfere with the democratic process.

Gachagua said the Ol Kalou by-election was more than a local contest, describing it as a practical example of the measures needed to safeguard future elections.