Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has challenged Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua to provide evidence linking him to violence during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

Kuria said repeating the accusation would not make it true. He asked the former deputy president to allow him to remain outside the current Mt Kenya political contest.

“Even if you accuse me 1,000 times of planning violence, like you have done again today in Ol Kalou, without proof it will not wash,” Kuria wrote on X on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

His response followed renewed remarks by Gachagua on the violence witnessed during the July 16 mini poll.

Gachagua warning to Kuria

Before the election, Gachagua linked Kuria and other Kenya Kwanza leaders to a plan to transport groups into Ol Kalou.

“I am asking Moses Kuria not to bring goons to Ol Kalou. Let the people of Ol Kalou choose their leader peacefully,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua did not present evidence supporting the statement.

Violence later broke out at several polling stations. Armed and hooded people disrupted voting, while tear gas was fired at crowds and journalists.

Kuria used his response to revisit his past political differences with Gachagua.

He said he had warned him in 2020 and 2021 against taking the Mt Kenya community into a coalition without its own political party.

Kuria said Gachagua opposed him and fought regional parties in favour of the United Democratic Alliance.

“I said we don’t go to a dowry negotiation while boarding the bridegroom’s Mercedes. You fought all other parties other than UDA,” he stated.

Kuria says he will not challenge Gachagua

Kuria said he would not oppose DCP candidates across Mt Kenya. He also ruled out contesting an elective seat.

“You can have DCP candidates all over Mt Kenya. I will not even vie for any seat myself,” he said.

However, he predicted that Gachagua’s political strategy would “end up in tears”.

Kuria also acknowledged Gachagua’s growing influence following DCP’s decisive Ol Kalou victory.

“Now that you are the undisputed King, cut me the slack and give me some peace. We watch you for the next 12 months, Muthamaki,” he said.

Muthamaki is a Kikuyu word commonly used to refer to a king or community leader.

The statement signals that Kuria intends to remain outside the immediate contest for Mt Kenya leadership. However, his warning shows that political differences between the two leaders remain unresolved.