Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of buying, coercing and intimidating his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidates contesting various seats in the upcoming by-elections.
Speaking during the unveiling of the DCP nominees on Friday, Gachagua said his former boss has resorted to intimidating the candidates in a bid to stop them from contesting.
“A majority of our candidates have been threatened. But the candidates I have today have stood with the people and we are certain that we shall carry the day and a win shall be secured. We shall traverse every village and city campaigning for them and we have great faith in them,” he said.
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
Gachagua claimed that Stanley Karisa Kenga, his party’s candidate for Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County, has been a victim of the Head of State’s intimidation tactics to drop his bid.
Kenga narrowly lost the 2022 elections on a United Democratic Alliance ticket and challenged the outcome in court, which nullified the results and ordered for fresh elections.
“He refused to be cowed. I am asking Magarini residents to reject the betrayal of their son and I am hopeful that this will be a landslide win,” said Gachagua.
Kenga had previously served as an MCA and as Kilifi County Assembly Deputy Speaker.
The claims comes weeks after the party candidate for Banisa, Adan Mohamed, withdrew from the race, with the former DP accusing Ruto of masterminding the decision.
But Kenga accused the ruling UDA of closing the doors on him and throwing him under the bus.
The party also cleared seven candidates for the various Member of County Assembly seats, including David Wanyoike Warui (Kariobangi North), Dominic Gesora Kongo (Ekerenyo, Nyamira) and Dickson Aduda Okwiri (Kisa East, Kakamega).
Others include Abdirashid Sirat Kethiye (Fafi, Garissa), Douglas Twala Masikonde (Narok Town, Narok), Tanare Tipatet Saidimu (Purko, Kajiado) and Nyonga Tabwe Saul (Nyamaiya, Nyamira).
Gachagua expressed confidence in the party nominees, saying the party will not spare any efforts to ensure victory.
“Please be humble and listen to the people. Stand for the ideals of the party,” he said.
“They have said time and again that DCP is a Mountain region party, we are here to prove them wrong. We have candidates from all corners of this nation,” said DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala.
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of buying, coercing and intimidating his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidates contesting various seats in the
upcoming by-elections
.
Speaking during the unveiling of the DCP nominees on Friday, Gachagua said his former boss has resorted to intimidating the candidates in a bid to stop them from contesting.
“A majority of our candidates have been threatened. But the candidates I have today have stood with the people and we are certain that we shall carry the day and a win shall be secured. We shall traverse every village and city campaigning for them and we have great faith in them,” he said.
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
Gachagua claimed that Stanley Karisa Kenga, his party’s candidate for Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County, has been a victim of the Head of State’s intimidation tactics to drop his bid.
Kenga narrowly lost the 2022 elections on a United Democratic Alliance ticket and challenged the outcome in court, which nullified the results and ordered for fresh elections.
“He refused to be cowed. I am asking Magarini residents to reject the betrayal of their son and I am hopeful that this will be a landslide win,” said Gachagua.
Kenga had previously served as an MCA and as Kilifi County Assembly Deputy Speaker.
The claims comes weeks after the party candidate for Banisa, Adan Mohamed, withdrew from the race, with the former
DP accusing Ruto
of masterminding the decision.
But Kenga accused the ruling UDA of closing the doors on him and throwing him under the bus.
The party also cleared seven candidates for the various Member of County Assembly seats, including David Wanyoike Warui (Kariobangi North), Dominic Gesora Kongo (Ekerenyo, Nyamira) and Dickson Aduda Okwiri (Kisa East, Kakamega).
Others include Abdirashid Sirat Kethiye (Fafi, Garissa), Douglas Twala Masikonde (Narok Town, Narok), Tanare Tipatet Saidimu (Purko, Kajiado) and Nyonga Tabwe Saul (Nyamaiya, Nyamira).
Gachagua expressed confidence in the party nominees, saying the party will not spare any efforts to ensure victory.
“Please be humble and listen to the people. Stand for the ideals of the party,” he said.
“They have said time and again that DCP is a Mountain region party, we are here to prove them wrong. We have candidates from all corners of this nation,” said DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
By Okumu Modachi and George Njunge