By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, July 16, 2026 - Former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday called on members of the Kikuyu community to boycott President William Ruto's public meetings, accusing the Head of State of turning State machinery against the Mt Kenya region during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Speaking at his Wamunyoro home in Mathira, Nyeri County, Gachagua alleged that security agencies had been deployed to intimidate voters and interfere with the electoral process in the fiercely contested poll, claims for which he did not provide evidence.
"I will be calling upon this community to boycott all your public meetings forthwith because you have declared war on the community," Gachagua said.
"We cannot allow you to persecute this community further. You have done more than enough damage. You have abused us, called us tribal and prostitutes and used all manner of adjectives to destroy the community that gave you power."
The DCP leader further accused the President of using police officers to suppress voters and claimed the alleged actions would deepen opposition to the Kenya Kwanza administration in the Mt Kenya region.
"Now you have decided to use force and police to brutalise our people using traitors from the community. Shame on them. Our people will deal with you at the ballot," he said.
Gachagua questioned what he claimed was interference with the by-election before the conclusion of voting and tallying.
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"After spending all that money, why couldn't you wait for the votes to be counted? Why are you stopping the election? Why do you want to interfere with the will of the people? Why do you want to kill democracy?" he posed.
The former Deputy President claimed residents of Ol Kalou and the wider Nyandarua region would reject President Ruto politically following the events surrounding the by-election.
The Ol Kalou contest has emerged as one of the most closely watched political battles ahead of the 2027 General Election, with analysts viewing it as a litmus test of President Ruto's influence against Gachagua's growing support in the Mt Kenya region.
DCP is backing Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho, while the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has fielded Samuel Muchina Nyagah in the high-stakes race to succeed the late MP David Kiaraho.