Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has hailed the decisive victory of his party in the Ol Kalou by-election, framing it as a triumph of voter dignity over political influence.
Speaking on Friday during a thanksgiving tour in Ol Kalou, Gachagua said residents had rejected intimidation, handouts, and state-backed pressure to overwhelmingly elect DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru.
“Nothing worked — not violence, not guns or teargas. Money failed completely,” Gachagua declared, addressing crowds in WaKiongo, Mirangine Ward. “The people of Ol Kalou have spoken with clarity and courage.”
The DCP candidate secured a landslide victory with 35,440 votes, defeating his closest rival from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) by a wide margin.
The outcome has been widely interpreted as a significant political statement in the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua used the platform to criticize what he described as attempts to influence voters through development promises and material incentives.
“The train stalled and became a safety issue. Speedboats did not entice the Ol Kalou warrior and Mau Mau descendants,” he said, in remarks that drew cheers from supporters.
He further dismissed the distribution of subsidised goods as ineffective, insisting that voters were focused on leadership integrity rather than short-term benefits.
“Gas cylinders could not be trusted; give every Kenyan one before us — we are all equal,” he added. “Take back mattresses to hospitals.”
Quoting residents of WaKiongo, Gachagua said the electorate had consciously chosen to defend the value of their vote.
“Our vote is dignified, and we gave Sammy Kamau Ngotho,” he said, attributing the statement to local voters.
The thanksgiving event marked the first major public appearance by the former deputy president in the constituency following the by-election.