CS Ruku: UDA spent about Ksh.100M in Ol-Kalou by-election campaigns

According to the CS, the ruling party did not fund the campaign from the national exchequer but from its accounts, dismissing reports that about Ksh.10 billion was spent in the influx of development projects executed during the campaign period.

"Even spending Ksh.500 million is impossible. From where I sit I don't think it was more than Ksh.100 million," he told Hot96 on Sunday.

"UDA has money and every party has money. The money which was spent, which I am approximating, was Ksh.100 million is not government money. It belongs to the political party."

In the run-up to the July 16 mini polls, UDA had mounted an aggressive last-minute campaign in Ol Kalou, distributing gas cylinders, mattresses, erecting electricity poles, cash handouts and other items while also launching infrastructural projects such as borehole drilling and road paving.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), on July 17, declared Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho the winner after he garnered 35,440 votes, defeating UDA's Samuel Muchina Nyaga, who received 5,450 votes. 

CS Ruku said that the victory does not reflect the national outlook on UDA's political dominance, and the opposition should not overestimate its relevance as it seeks to challenge President William Ruto's presidency in the 2027 General Election. 

"I don't know why people are hyping the results as if it is the only by-election done in the country. Winning one by-election and you are shouting like that chicken that lays one egg and shouts until the entire village knows about it."

UDA conceded defeat, maintaining that it remains strong in the Mt. Kenya region and is ready to assert dominance in the 2027 polls.

The position became a tight contest since the constituency is projected to anchor the parties' control of Mt Kenya, one of Kenya's most electorally consequential regions.