Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that President William Ruto has poured more than Ksh1 billion into the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election campaign, claiming the constituency has been flooded with cash ahead of the July 16 mini-poll.

Speaking on Friday, July 3, 2026, at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri during a consultative meeting with leaders from Narok County, Gachagua claimed the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration was using massive financial resources to influence voters in what has emerged as one of the country’s most closely watched by-elections.

“William Ruto amemwaga pesa hapo Ol Kalou Ksh1 billion. Pale hakuna hata change ya elfu moja. Ukinunua chai unalipa na elfu hata kama chai ni ya mia moja; hakuna change. Unaambiwa, ‘Na ujue hapa hakuna change’. Pale pesa inatumika ni elfu moja,” Gachagua claimed.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader went on to claim that the influx of money had transformed the local economy, attracting traders and workers from neighbouring counties.

“Hata watu wanauliza ati si uchaguzi isongeshwe iende mpaka December. Sasa mpaka imefika pahali ile constituency jirani wanaanza kusema, ‘Si Mungu atusaidie huyu mheshimiwa wetu; amchukue ndio Ruto amwage huku pesa. Kwa sababu ile pesa iko Ol Kalou, watu wametoka Nakuru wamekomboa manyumba. Wengine wametoka Nyahururu. Kila siku vijana wanatoka wanazunguka na bodaboda, kila siku jioni wanatengeneza elfu tano,” he said.

Despite the said spending, Gachagua claimed voters would ultimately reject President Ruto’s preferred candidate.

“Sasa pale lugha ni moja, huyu Ruto tulimchagua 2022 na hakupatia sisi chochote, nafasi imepatikana arudishe mkono. Wanakula pesa yake lakini kura ikipigwa atashangaa,” Gachagua said.

High-stakes by-election

The July 16 Ol Kalou by-election has evolved into one of Kenya’s most politically significant electoral contests, drawing the full attention of both the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition.

The seat fell vacant following the death of longtime MP David Kiaraho in March 2026. Kiaraho had represented the constituency since 2013 after winning on the Jubilee Party ticket.

Political analysts view the race as more than a contest for a parliamentary seat, describing it as a test of influence in the Mt Kenya region between President Ruto and his former deputy, Gachagua, whose relationship has since deteriorated.

Battle of political heavyweights

Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has fielded Sammy Kamau Ngotho, who won the party nominations in May after defeating several rivals. Upon presenting him with the party certificate, Gachagua expressed confidence that DCP would secure victory in the constituency.

President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is backing Samuel Muchina Nyaga, setting up what observers describe as a direct political showdown between the two leaders in a region considered crucial ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared nine candidates to contest the seat, with parties including Jubilee, PNU, the National Liberal Party and others also in the race. The Commission has already completed logistical preparations for the July 16 poll.

Campaign tensions escalate

As the campaigns intensify, the by-election has also been accompanied by escalating political rhetoric.

This week, Gachagua and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen traded accusations over security in the constituency.

Gachagua claimed that state-backed operatives were targeting his supporters, while Murkomen accused the former Deputy President of attempting to incite violence ahead of the vote.

With just weeks to polling day, the Ol Kalou contest is increasingly being viewed as a bellwether for the political realignments taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, with both Kenya Kwanza and the opposition seeking to demonstrate their strength in one of the country’s most influential voting blocs.