Why Ruto allies, opposition are fighting for by-election prize

Fighting to secure their political future, politicians have gone personal in their campaigns for the Thursday by-elections.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have particularly been confrontational in their fight to fend off the United Opposition, which threatens to shame the so-called broad-based government at the ballot.

And their outrage is loud, their public utterances speak of desperate leaders ready to deploy State resources to win the seats by any means.

On the opposite side, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya are fuming with fury, accusing the State of causing violence to frustrate them in the by-elections which could set the tone for the 2027 grand showdown.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) are seemingly looking the other side as politicians making utterances that are likely to incite citizens into violence.

In his campaign for the UDA candidate for Mbeere North, Leo Muthende, Kindiki has threatened to expose former Deputy President’s secrets he claimed to have gathered while serving as the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

"Gachagua, I am asking you to leave me alone. I am going to shame you by stripping you naked. I’m not someone to play with, you have threatened many people, but your days are numbered. I am more experienced than you politically," said Kindiki.

The Deputy President has dismissed Gachagua as a political weakling, underlining his long experience in Parliament compared to his predecessor’s one term as MP.

Kindiki accused Gachagua of forcing himself to be chosen as President William Ruto running mate in the last General Election by coining the slogan “No Rigathi, No Ruto".

In Western, Mudavadi issued a stern warning to Natembeya, telling him to be ready for defeat in the 2027.

He dismissed claims that Kenya Kwanza leaders were disengaged, insisting they were prepared to tame the Governor’s rising influence in the region since he did not respectful other leaders.

“Some people should not think that we do not know how to play politics. Even that one walking around here called Natembeya, I want to tell him that in 2027, we will field a very strong candidate in Trans Nzoia who will take him home,” said Mudavadi.

Gachagua and Natembeya are also on record on using demeaning words while describing their rivals.

NCIC says it is investigating Gachagua, four Governors and at least 10 MPs over hate speech.

But the commission has been accused of not taking action whenever politicians allied to the government make such remarks.

Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mutegi recently told the Senate National Cohesion Committee that at least 28 political leaders have been summoned over inflammatory remarks, but some ignored the summons.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, and their Turkana and Meru counterparts Jeremiah Lomurkai and Isaac Mutuma are awaiting verification of their video clips by the Communication Authority of Kenya before NCIC summons them.

Members of Parliament under investigation include Mpuru Aburi (Tigania West), Farah Maalim (Dadaab), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Nelson Koech (Belgut), Phelix Odiwuor (Lang’ata), William Kamket (Tiaty), Said Hiribae (Galole), Yakub Kuno (Bura), Amina Dika (Tana River County) and Fatuma Jehow (Wajir County).

“I would like to inform the Senate that former Deputy President and Koech, Odiwuor, Wanyama and Jehow, who are Members of Parliament, did not honour the summons to come before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and explain themselves,” said Dr Mutegi.

Mutegi said despite the efforts that the commission has done to manage hate speech, they are grappling with several challenges including limited funding, which affects timely investigations.

He said hate speech, ethnic contempt and inflammatory language by influential public figures are the main cause of political violence.

“We would like to inform the Senate that the commission lacks political goodwill especially with regard with the amendment of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission Act. The commission has since 2014 attempted to make amendments to the Act but the Bill has never gone beyond second reading stage in the National Assembly,” said Mutegi.