Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over its warning that it could postpone or cancel the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, accusing the electoral body of acting in favour of President William Ruto’s administration after allegedly sensing defeat.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Gachagua dismissed the commission’s concerns over violence and voter bribery in the constituency, insisting the campaign period has remained largely peaceful.
“The people of Ol Kalou are very peaceful. All the candidates are working together and nobody is fighting each other. The little violence that has been witnessed in Ol Kalou has been done by the State,” Gachagua said.
He questioned why the IEBC had raised concerns over the Ol Kalou poll while, according to him, it had remained silent during previous by-elections that experienced violence.
“You never condemned violence in Baringo, you didn’t condemn violence in Kasipul Kabondo, you didn’t condemn violence in Malava. How come you are condemning non-existent violence in Ol Kalou and threatening to postpone an election for non-existent violence?” he said.
Gachagua also accused the government of deploying Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other senior State officials to campaign for the ruling party’s candidate while alleging that public resources were being used to influence voters.
“Over the last few weeks, State officers and top government officials are on the Ol Kalou by-election campaign trail and on a bribery spree. Indeed, the government officials are actually more than the voters in Ol Kalou,” he claimed.
The former Deputy President further questioned why IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon was warning of postponing the election instead of taking action against individuals allegedly involved in electoral offences.
He also accused the commission of applying double standards by threatening action in Ol Kalou while allegedly failing to act in previous by-elections that experienced violence.
