A political storm is brewing ahead of the Ol Kalou by-election after Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua accused senior government officials and security agencies of orchestrating plans to interfere with the electoral process.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, Gachagua questioned the deployment of more than 2,000 police officers to the Nyandarua constituency, claiming the move was excessive and could be used to intimidate voters and opposition supporters.
Addressing Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the former Deputy President alleged that command of the National Police Service had been undermined and influenced by political actors within government.
“Mr. J.G. Kanja, you seem not to get it. The command of the National Police Service has completely gone to Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen, Raymond Omollo and rogue politicians allied to President William Ruto,” Gachagua claimed.
The DCP leader insisted that Ol Kalou had remained largely peaceful during the campaign period and accused plain-clothes police officers of being responsible for incidents of violence reported in recent weeks.
“The security challenge in Ol Kalou and across Kenya isn’t too much about the goons but the plain-clothes rogue police officers outside of your command,” he said.
Gachagua cited several incidents that he claimed had targeted DCP supporters and officials during the campaign period.
According to him, on July 1, 2026, DCP officials were allegedly attacked at the Royal Garden Hotel in Ol Kalou Town, where some were assaulted and robbed of personal belongings, including a mobile phone.
“Eight statements were recorded at Ol Kalou Police Station, yet no action has been taken against those responsible,” he alleged.
He further claimed that members of his campaign team were attacked on July 9 by individuals he described as plain-clothes police officers driving unmarked vehicles.
“The DCP campaign team was sprayed with pepper spray by officers in unmarked vehicles at around 2 p.m.,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President also alleged that a DCP campaign vehicle fitted with public address equipment was attacked and damaged by hooded gunmen on July 11, while claiming there had been an attempted assassination targeting East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega on July 13.
“Why haven’t you spoken about the attempted assassination of Hon. Kanini Kega?” he posed.
Gachagua expressed concern over the large security deployment ahead of the vote, describing it as unprecedented in Kenya’s electoral history.
“We have noted the deployment of over 2,000 police officers in Ol Kalou. This is unprecedented in the history of elections in our country,” he stated.
He called on the Inspector General to ensure all officers deployed to the constituency are in full uniform, display their service numbers, avoid wearing hoods and use clearly marked police vehicles.
“The 2,000 police officers deployed must be uniformed, they must display their service numbers, they must not be hooded and they must use clearly marked police vehicles,” he said.
The DCP leader further alleged that some security officers had been deployed with instructions to disrupt voting, intimidate agents and influence the outcome of the election in favour of the ruling party’s candidate.
“They have been specifically sent to disrupt the commencement of voting, intimidate agents, interfere with counting and tallying and ensure that the UDA candidate is announced the winner,” Gachagua alleged.
However, he did not provide evidence to support the claims.
He also warned that any violence witnessed during the by-election would be the responsibility of the security agencies.
“With 2,000 police officers, there should be no violence unless it is caused by the officers themselves,” he said.
In his statement, Gachagua urged the Inspector General to withdraw all non-uniformed officers from the constituency and ensure that the police remain neutral during the electoral process.
“Let the police not cause violence; let the police keep peace, law and order,” he stated.
The DCP leader also referenced Section 12 of the Election Offences Act, which prohibits the use of public officers or national security organs to compel or induce voters to support a particular candidate or political party.
“A candidate or any other person who uses a public officer or national security organs to induce or compel any person to support a particular candidate commits an offence,” he quoted from the law.
The National Police Service had not responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
The Ol Kalou by-election is expected to be closely watched, with heightened political activity and security preparations ahead of the vote scheduled for July 16, 2026. Political observers say the contest is likely to serve as an important test of political influence and voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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