Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has dismissed claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the government used the Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party to split votes in the recent Mbeere North by-election.
Gachagua, speaking on Wednesday, December 11, alleged that state officials approached Kuria and encouraged him to field Duncan Mbui in the contest.
He further stated that Mbui had initially been a DCP candidate but was dropped after Mbeere North elders advised against having two contenders from the same clan as Newton Karish, who was running on a DP ticket.
Kuria Dismisses Gachagua’s Assertion That He Was Used to Divide Mbeere North Votes. Photo: Courtesy.
According to Gachagua, the elders requested that Mbui step aside to avoid dividing the clan vote. He said that although DCP withdrew its candidate, the government later turned to Kuria, whose CCK party eventually sponsored Mbui.
Gachagua argued that the 2,500 votes Mbui secured would likely have gone to Karish due to clan affiliations, potentially altering the outcome of the by-election.
In response, Kuria urged Gachagua to clarify whether he believes the Mbeere North by-election votes were stolen or merely divided.
Kuria added that CCK will be included in Newton Karish’s election petition in court as an interested party.
He further warned that he will not allow Gachagua’s attempt to consolidate the entire Mt. Kenya region under a single political party, describing such a move as a form of “dictatorship.”
