Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua now claims there was an elaborate plan in place from the Kenya Kwanza government to scatter opposition votes in the Mbeere North by-elections.
Speaking on the evening of Wednesday, December 10, Gachagua claimed President William Ruto was in cohorts with his former Senior Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, to use Kuria's Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party to divide Mount Kenya votes and ultimately weaken opposition candidate Newton Kariuki (popularly known as "Karish") of the Democratic Party (DP).
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Muriuki Wa Muthende ended up winning the poll with 15,802 votes, closely followed by Karish, who garnered 15,308 votes in one of the closest contests in the November 27 polls.
"When elders of Mbeere approached me, it was because of clan dynamics. Karis comes from one clan. Elders told me if we have two candidates, it is not good," Gachagua explained.
He went on, "They asked me to step down so that this clan could have one candidate, so I withdrew the DCP candidate."
According to Gachagua, everything was in place to secure victory for Karish, including pulling DCP's candidate from the race, but the opposition's odds were hampered by Moses Kuria's candidate, Duncan Mbui.
"But then the government approached Kuria. His party is one of the many wheelbarrows. They asked Kuria to field a guy who got 2500 votes. Those votes, because of clan dynamics, could have gone to Newton Karish.," he added.
Since quitting his role in Ruto's government, Moses Kuria sought to focus on his political vehicle, the CCM, by fielding a candidate to take on the Mbeere North by-elections.
Kuria has previously refuted claims from the opposition that his party was a "wheelbarrow" placed in the Mount Kenya region by design to weaken opposition.
While faulting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on how the polls were conducted, Gachagua further stated he was happy with the outcomes, particularly because the opposition was competitive in many of the elective seats up for grabs.
His DCP party, which is barely seven months old, scooped three seats, including Narok Town Ward in Narok County, won by Douglas Masikonde, Kariobangi North Ward in Nairobi County, won by David Wanyoike Warui, and Kisa East Ward in Kakamega County, won by Dickson Okwiri Aduda.
"The by-elections gave DCP a chance to show its outlook and acceptance, and this is the party to watch. This was a small dance, and we are looking forward to the main dance, Gachagua reiterated.
As far as challenging election outcomes in court, Gachagua insisted he was content with his party's results, but would support other opposition outfits who decided to pursue legal means to challenge the results.
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