Gachagua vows to attend Ol Kalou MP Kiaraho’s prayer service despite Ruto’s presence
By Kenneth Mwenda, April 5, 2026Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has pledged to attend the prayer service for the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho onWednesday, April 8, 2026, insisting no one, including President William Ruto, can stop him or his supporters from attending.
Speaking on Sunday, April 5, during a service in Gatundu, Gachagua directly addressed concerns raised by Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, who suggested opposition leaders should stay away because of Ruto’s presence.
“Sasa tunaenda pale Nyandarua; kuna MP wetu amekufa, anaitwa Mweshimiwa Kiaraho. Kuko na maombi makubwa huko Olkalou. Sasa nimesikia watu wa Ruto; mama fulani anasema ati vile Rais anakuja huku, ati Riggy G na watu wake hawatakiwi tukuje. Wewe mama, Nyandarua is ours. Huyo Ruto alitufukuza kwa ofisi. Hawezi tufukuza kwa ofisi na atufukuze nyumbani,” Gachagua said.
He added:
“Wewe Rais kama unakuja Nyandarua Olkalou, karibu nyumbani. Na ukuje na heshima. Hapo ni Nyandarua, kwetu nyumbani, headquarter ya Mau Mau. Pahali JM Kariuki alitoka, karibu na Aberdare Forest pahali Dedan Kimathi aliongoza vita. Na anybody thinking kwa sababu Ruto anakuja ceremony ati sisi tunaweza kosa, hatuwezi kosa sherehe ya nyumbani. Yeye ni mgeni, akuje kama mgeni, tutamkaribisha vizuri. Na hakuje pole pole na heshima.”
“Nauliza watu wa Nyandarua wote, na Ol Kalou wote tujae kwa hiyo stadium. Tukuwe hapo nitakuwa hapo asubuhi mapema. In fact, I will arrive the previous day ndio nijitayarishe vizuri. You chased us away from government; you cannot chase us away from home,” he added.
Ol Kalou by-election looms
Gachagua’s remarks signal the high political stakes surrounding the Ol Kalou constituency. Kiaraho’s death has left the seat vacant, and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has already gazetted the area for a by-election. Political parties have begun positioning their candidates in anticipation of a closely contested race.
The upcoming Ol Kalou by-election is expected to pit the United Opposition against Kenya Kwanza, marking another test for Gachagua’s influence in the Mount Kenya region. Opposition leaders, including Eugene Wamalwa, have committed to presenting a united front, drawing on previous successes in Malava and Mbeere North by-elections where parties coordinated to avoid internal competition.
“This by-election will show whether DCP truly dominates Mount Kenya. We are working together to field a strong candidate,” Wamalwa said in a separate interview.
The funeral itinerary for the late MP indicates he will be buried in Tigoni, Limuru constituency, in line with his last wishes. Despite the burial taking place outside Ol Kalou, the prayer service in Nyandarua remains a central gathering for local leaders and residents.