Nairobi, Kenya — July 20, 2026: Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed claims that the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) spent billions of shillings during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election campaign, estimating the party’s expenditure at less than Ksh100 million.
Speaking during an interview on Hot96 on Sunday, Ruku maintained that the campaign was financed using UDA’s party resources and not public funds.
The remarks come days after the hotly contested Ol Kalou by-election, which has triggered political debate over campaign spending and its implications ahead of the 2027 General Election, as previously reported by Sauce.co.ke Politics News.
Ruku Dismisses Claims of Ksh10 Billion Campaign Spending
The Public Service CS rejected reports alleging that the government spent around Ksh10 billion on development projects launched during the campaign period.
“Even spending Ksh500 million is impossible. From where I sit, I don’t think it was more than Ksh100 million,” Ruku said.
He insisted that the money used during the campaign came from UDA’s accounts rather than the national treasury.
“UDA has money and every party has money. The money which was spent, which I am approximating, was Ksh100 million, is not government money. It belongs to the political party,” he added.
UDA Mounted Aggressive Campaign Ahead of Poll
In the days leading up to the July 16 by-election, UDA intensified its campaign in Ol Kalou Constituency, rolling out several initiatives aimed at winning voter support.
The party distributed items including:
- Gas cylinders
- Mattresses
- Cash donations
- Electricity poles
UDA leaders also launched development projects such as road paving and borehole drilling during the campaign period, attracting criticism from sections of the opposition.
DCP Candidate Won the Ol Kalou By-Election
The by-election was eventually won by Sammy Kamau Ngotho of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
According to the IEBC, Ngotho garnered 35,440 votes, defeating UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga, who received 5,450 votes.
The seat became vacant following the death of former MP David Kiaraho.
Ruku Says Result Does Not Reflect National Political Mood
Despite UDA’s defeat, Ruku argued that the outcome should not be interpreted as a broader rejection of the ruling party.
He cautioned opposition leaders against reading too much into the result.
“I don’t know why people are hyping the results as if it is the only by-election done in the country. Winning one by-election and you are shouting like that chicken that lays one egg and shouts until the entire village knows about it,” he said.
UDA has since conceded defeat while maintaining that it remains politically strong in the Mt Kenya region and confident of retaining support ahead of the 2027 General Election.
