Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that he shared an electoral strategy with American Democrats, which he says contributed to their victories in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Speaking on Saturday, November 7, Gachagua said he had personally briefed members of the Democratic Party on the approach after witnessing its success during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
He made the remarks while addressing legal professionals at the second edition of the Gema Watho Extravaganza held at Thika Greens Golf Club in Murang’a County. The event also attracted supporters of his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Gachagua Praises Ol Kalou Voters
Gachagua commended Ol Kalou residents for rejecting the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate despite receiving various items and financial incentives from government officials ahead of the by-election.
During the campaigns, government-aligned officials reportedly distributed mattresses, cooking gas cylinders, shoes, cash and electricity transformers in an apparent effort to secure support for the UDA candidate.
However, voters elected DCP’s Sammy Ng’otho, who secured 35,440 votes against his closest competitor’s 5,450.
Gachagua said the outcome demonstrated that voters could accept campaign handouts without necessarily supporting the candidates offering them.
“What happened in Ol Kalou is what will happen in this country. The other day I was in Texas. I educated people on how to do an Ol Kalou. And they have done it on Donald Trump. So this Ol Kalou thing is the real thing,” he said.
The former Deputy President argued that voters were justified in accepting money and gifts from politicians they considered dishonest before making their own choices at the ballot box.
He maintained that there was nothing wrong with outmanoeuvring leaders who attempted to influence voters through material inducements.
“When a thief comes to deceive people, you also deceive him. You take his money and cheat him that you shall vote for him. Then on the actual day of the election you do the exact opposite,” Gachagua stated.
Gachagua Calls on Lawyers to Protect 2027 Elections
The former Deputy President also urged members of the legal profession to take an active role in safeguarding the credibility of the 2027 General Election.
He challenged lawyers to volunteer as election observers across the country and closely monitor the electoral process to prevent what he described as possible electoral manipulation.
Gachagua argued that the legal fraternity had a responsibility to hold the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) accountable and ensure that all electoral procedures were conducted transparently.
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“This country, where it has reached, it is you lawyers who will save this country,” he told the gathering.
He further emphasised that the processes leading up to an election were just as important as the actual voting exercise.
Among the prominent legal professionals he mentioned were Paul Mwite, former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi and Martha Wangari Karua.
Gachagua also called on the LSK to adopt a stronger position in addressing what he described as injustices in the country.
The former Deputy President, who was removed from office through an impeachment process that he has repeatedly disputed, concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the campaign for political accountability.
