Former deputy president and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has raised fresh concerns over the conduct of the recent Mbeere North by-election, alleging that elderly residents enrolled in the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme were pressured to vote for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
His remarks, delivered during a Wednesday night interview on KTN News, have added new tension to the already contested political climate in the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua claimed that a network of local administrators, including chiefs, Nyumba Kumi officials, and community elders, played a role in warning beneficiaries of potential loss of their stipends if they supported the opposition candidate. He stated that approximately 7,000 senior citizens were affected.
According to him, these actions amounted to coercion and undermined the rights of vulnerable voters.
The DCP leader also alleged that large sums of money were used to influence the vote.
He claimed that UDA spent more than KSh800 million during the campaign period to sway residents, arguing that the figure raised questions about the fairness of the process. These claims, attributed to his interview on KTN News, have not been independently verified.
The accusations come at a time when the Mt Kenya region remains politically competitive, with shifting alliances and emerging parties reshaping local dynamics.
Gachagua, once a key figure within the Kenya Kwanza administration, has recently positioned himself as an alternative voice in the region. His party, DCP, has been seeking to establish a foothold among voters who feel sidelined by national political realignments.
During the interview, Gachagua argued that the outcome in Mbeere North should not be viewed as reflective of the region’s political mood.
He insisted that the alleged use of state machinery distorted the vote, saying that those claiming victory relied on public funds and intimidation rather than legitimate support.
He also criticized President William Ruto’s political advisers, describing them as inexperienced and disconnected from the sentiments of local communities.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has not issued any comment on the allegations, and government agencies responsible for social protection programmes have yet to respond.