Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata, urging him to stay away from the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election campaign unless he intends to campaign for President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Gachagua described the Ol Kalou race as a local political contest, saying leaders from his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) had deliberately left the campaign in the hands of local leaders.
"I have heard Kang'ata saying he wants to come to Ol Kalou with the Linda Mwananchi movement. We don't need you there. If you want to campaign for UDA, Jubilee or any other party, you are free to do so, but the DCP campaign is a local affair," Gachagua said.
The former deputy president said the DCP campaign has been led by Nyandarua Senator John Methu and other local leaders for the past two months, adding that bringing in outside political figures at the last minute would only disrupt the campaign.
According to Gachagua, the by-election should remain focused on local issues affecting residents rather than national political rivalries.
He further claimed he had not personally campaigned in Ol Kalou because local leaders were effectively managing the campaign, saying he would only visit the constituency if invited by the campaign leadership.
"I have not gone to Ol Kalou because it has not been necessary. The campaign is going on very well. If Senator John Methu asks me to come, I will be available, but that request has not come," he said.
Gachagua also downplayed the significance of the by-election on the broader Mt. Kenya political landscape, arguing that the region had already made its political decision ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"The outcome of Ol Kalou is irrelevant to the mountain. The mountain has moved on. What will happen in 2027 has already been decided," he said.
His remarks come amid heightened political activity in Ol Kalou ahead of the parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, with both the ruling UDA and opposition-linked parties intensifying campaigns in the constituency.
Kang'ata had indicated that he intended to join campaigns in Ol Kalou under his "Linda Mwananchi" initiative. By the time of publication, the Murang'a governor had not publicly responded to Gachagua's remarks.
