ByPerez Karisa, July 2, 2026
A fresh political storm has erupted between Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following a night of alleged chaos in Nyandarua County, further intensifying the battle for the crucial Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election set for July 16.
The latest war of words unfolded on Wednesday, July 1, after Gachagua accused the government of deploying security operatives to intimidate and disrupt the campaign activities of his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). Murkomen swiftly dismissed the allegations, instead accusing the former Deputy President of attempting to incite violence and manipulate public opinion.
The exchange marks one of the sharpest confrontations yet between the two leaders since Gachagua’s fallout with President William Ruto’s administration, with both camps trading accusations as campaigning enters its final stretch.
Gachagua claimed through his social media platforms that what he described as a “Nairobi Sierra killer squad” had been dispatched to Ol Kalou to target DCP officials and campaign strategists. According to him, the operatives allegedly stormed the Royal Garden Hotel in Ol Kalou, where party officials had gathered, and carried out arrests and intimidation aimed at weakening the opposition campaign.
He further alleged that several DCP supporters had been abducted under unclear circumstances, accusing the state of using security agencies to influence the outcome of the by-election through fear and intimidation.
Murkomen strongly rejected the claims, describing them as baseless and politically motivated. In a statement issued shortly afterward, the Interior Cabinet Secretary accused Gachagua of fabricating stories of state persecution to divert attention from what he termed efforts to mobilize youth into political violence.
The CS argued that the former Deputy President was engaging in “juvenile attempts at reverse psychology” by portraying himself as a victim while allegedly planning acts that could undermine peace during the campaign period.
Murkomen warned that the National Police Service would firmly enforce the law throughout the by-election period, insisting that anyone found engaging in violence, intimidation or criminal activity—regardless of political affiliation—would be arrested and prosecuted.
He further cautioned young people against allowing themselves to be recruited into political confrontations, saying those who engage in unlawful acts would bear personal responsibility for their actions.
The Interior CS reiterated that the government’s responsibility is to guarantee security for all candidates, political parties and voters, adding that security agencies would remain vigilant before, during and after polling day.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election has rapidly evolved into one of the country’s most closely watched political contests, serving as a direct showdown between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Gachagua’s recently launched Democracy for the Citizens Party.
Beyond filling a vacant parliamentary seat, political analysts view the mini-poll as an early test of political strength in the Mt. Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
For UDA, victory would reinforce the ruling party’s influence in one of its traditional strongholds and demonstrate that it retains substantial grassroots support despite growing opposition criticism.
For Gachagua and the DCP, the contest represents an opportunity to prove that the former Deputy President still commands significant political backing in the region and can successfully challenge the ruling party’s dominance.
The heightened rhetoric from both camps underscores the significance attached to the by-election, with each side seeking to frame the contest as a referendum on its political influence in Mt. Kenya.
As campaigns intensify, attention is now shifting to security agencies and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which will be expected to ensure that the July 16 vote is conducted peacefully, transparently and in accordance with the law amid escalating political tensions.
