Kabando: Gachagua is shepherding Wantam movement to rescue our motherland Kenya
By David Nthua, July 20, 2026Nyeri senatorial aspirant Kabando wa Kabando has expressed confidence that Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua can “rescue” Kenya in 2027.
Kabando wrote on X on Monday, July 20, 2026, after the party’s landslide victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
He argued that the former Deputy President had been underestimated.
“He was underrated. Rigathi’s superb strategic skills, via elaborate DCP delegated stewards, delivered Ol Kalou to spur a nation’s hope,” Kabando said.
Kabando credits Gachagua’s strategy
Democracy for the Citizens Party candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho secured 35,440 votes.
United Democratic Alliance candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah finished second with 5,450 votes.
The 29,990-vote margin delivered the party its first parliamentary seat. It also strengthened Gachagua’s political standing in Mt Kenya. The election recorded a 57 per cent turnout.
Kabando presented the result as evidence that the WANTAM campaign was gaining momentum. The movement seeks to make President William Ruto a one-term leader.
“The truth is that RiggyG is shepherding the WANTAM movement to rescue our motherland, Kenya from gluttonous Ruto jaws. Wamunyoro spirit triumphs,” he said.
Wamunyoro is Gachagua’s political base in Nyeri County. Kabando is seeking the Nyeri Senate seat on a DCP ticket in 2027.
Gachagua links victory to voter defiance
Gachagua separately accused the government of failing to protect voters during the July 16 election.
“Mr William Ruto and his homeboys have gone berserk,” he wrote on Facebook.
He said hooded individuals and goons attacked voters and journalists. He maintained that the violence was intended to intimidate residents and influence the election.
“But it failed flat,” Gachagua said.
He described voters who remained at polling stations to protect their ballots as a “human shield”.
An official investigation has not established the accusations against the government and named individuals.
Police disputed reports of election-day deaths. Amnesty International Kenya, however, documented one death and attacks on journalists.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also ordered investigations into the violence.
Kabando’s remarks now elevate Ol Kalou from a local contest into a central part of DCP’s campaign to deny Ruto re-election in 2027.