The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has rejected claims by the Opposition that the government spent billions of shillings to influence the outcome of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Speaking during an interview with Hot 96, Ruku said the campaign support and items distributed in the constituency were valued at about Sh100 million. He maintained that the money came from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and not the National Treasury.
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According to the Cabinet Secretary, UDA funded the distribution of thousands of six-kilogram LPG cooking gas cylinders, mattresses, two motorised fishing boats worth Sh5 million and 20,000 fish fingerlings to promote aquaculture.
He also highlighted several development projects that featured during the campaign period, including the planned revival of the Nairobi–Nyahururu railway line, construction of the 37-kilometre Ithangani–Ngorika–Kanyiriri road, improvements at Ol Kalou Market through the installation of translucent roofing, and the distribution of water pipes, electricity poles, food supplies and cash assistance.
Ruku stated that election campaigns are financed by political parties rather than the government, adding that UDA uses funds allocated through the Political Parties Fund.
His remarks were in response to allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who claimed President William Ruto spent more than Sh1 billion in cash and over Sh14 billion on development projects in Nyandarua County in an effort to influence voters during the by-election.
Gachagua argued that the deployment of senior government officials, increased security presence and distribution of items such as gas cylinders, mattresses and cash were intended to sway the electorate. Despite this, he said voters rejected UDA’s candidate, Samuel Muchina, and instead elected Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Kamau Ngotho.
He described the by-election outcome as a preview of the 2027 General Election and characterised it as a political contest between President Ruto and the Mt Kenya region.
The debate has also renewed attention on campaign financing regulations. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has proposed campaign spending limits for candidates seeking elective office, with the caps varying depending on the size and characteristics of each constituency.
Under the proposal, North Horr Constituency would have a campaign spending limit of Sh94 million, Tetu Constituency Sh11.2 million, Kilgoris Constituency Sh22.4 million and Kibra Constituency Sh14.5 million. The proposed limits are aimed at improving transparency and fairness in election campaigns but have not yet been implemented.
