Ruto, Gachagua by-elections battle shifts to vote protection

President William Ruto and Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua have shifted their by-elections showdown to an all-out vote protection battle.

The two sides determined to prove a point in the Thursday’s by-elections have both dispatched high-powered teams to a least five battleground constituencies. Some analysts have termed the mini-polls a test run for 2027 contest.

The areas are Mbeere North, Magarini, Malava, Kasipul and Narok Town ward, which are expected to witness razor-thin contests.

Each deployment is led by at least by one seasoned political heavyweight tasked with coordinating the election day and safeguarding votes through tallying.

The official campaigns ended on Monday, being 48 hours before the date of election.

The teams are expected to remain in place through voting, tallying and final declaration of results as the country enters a charged politically season.

In Mbeere North, Gachagua and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua are leading the United Opposition teams.

They will oversee the voting exercise, mobilise agents and monitor tallying until the last vote is accounted for.

Their presence sets the stage for a fierce face-off with DP Kithure Kindiki, who will be leading President William Ruto’s vote-protection machinery in the same constituency.

Already, Gachagua has written a protest letter claiming plans to tilt the outcome of the by-elections especially the Magarini contest where ODM’s Harrison Kombe is squaring it with DCP’s Stanley Kenga.

“The will of the people shall never be subverted at any given moment. Kenya is not your ordinary African country turned into a monarch,” the DCP leader said.

In Magarini, Governor Gideon Mung’aru and Senator Stewart Madzayo are on the ground to anchor broad based vote-protection strategy in the coastal constituency.

In a counter-deployment, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala will take charge of the opposition’s vote protection.

In Malava, Trans Nzoia county, Governor George Natembeya and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale will camp in the constituency to safeguard Seth Panyako’s votes.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee deputy leader Fred Matiang’I is also expected to reinforce Natembeya and Khalwale in Malava.

They will be facing off with Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, who will coordinate the government’s ground operations.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi are expected to back Kibet in Malava.

In Kasipul, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga will be on the ground to secure the vote for the ODM’s candidate Boyd Were.

Boyd is battling it out with independent candidate Philip Aroko and Movement for Democracy and Growth party’s Collins Omondi.

It’s alleged UDA officials have been campaigning for independent candidate, Philip Aroko.

The move has triggered unease in the ODM camp with Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma calling on President Ruto to reign on his camp.

“We cannot be in a broad-based government together while the UDA members are campaigning for our opponent. It is confusing our people. I am asking the President to rein on those people,” Kaluma said.

With just hours to the vote, the heavy deployment reflects mounting pressure on both sides to deliver victory and guard against claims of interference.

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula told the Star their teams are in last minute mobilisation to ensure that everyone turns up to vote during the Thursday’s exercise.

“We are just doing last door-to-door mobilisation to ensure that all voters turn up and cast their votes on Thursday,” Savula told the Star on phone.

Gachagua’s allies argue that firm vote protection is necessary to guard the people’s will amid concerns of possible interference.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu defended the vote-protection, saying it is necessary to ensure the people’s will is not subverted.

“Remember this is a new opposition which is taking shape, to make it take shape it must win seats and that is why we are having our teams out there,” Muriu said.

“It is up to IEBC to prove themselves, remember they were put in office without opposition’s input and Ruto is out to prove he has influence ahead of 2027, so we must be on guard.”

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi termed the November 27 contest very crucial for the two political divides.

“If the government wins in all the by-elections then it will mean that the United Opposition has something to do before 2027 and again if the government loses it will be a pointer that they do not have the mandate of Kenyans,” Mwangangi told the Star on phone.

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

The by-elections, though local, have evolved into a symbolic power contest between the President and his former deputy, each keen to prove dominance in key voting blocs. With both sides digging in for the long haul, the final days are expected to be charged and competitive.