Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed opposition claims that the government spent billions of shillings to influence the outcome of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, insisting the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) financed its campaign through party resources.
Speaking in an interview with Hot 96, Ruku said the campaign cost about Sh100 million, far below figures cited by opposition leaders. He maintained that no money from the National Treasury was used.
“In any case, the government does not finance election campaigns, but the party does,” Ruku said. “Remember, UDA has money it gets from the Political Parties Fund.”
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the party paid for campaign activities that included the distribution of thousands of six-kilogramme LPG cooking gas cylinders, mattresses, two motorised fishing boats valued at about Sh5 million, and 20,000 fish fingerlings to support fish farming in the constituency.
The campaign also highlighted a series of government development projects in the area, including plans to revive the Nairobi–Nyahururu railway line, construction of the 37-kilometre Ithangani–Ngorika–Kanyiriri road, improvements at the Ol Kalou Market, and the distribution of water pipes, electricity poles, food supplies and cash assistance.
Ruku’s remarks come after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto’s administration spent more than Sh1 billion in cash and committed over Sh14 billion worth of government projects in Nyandarua County in an effort to influence voters ahead of the by-election.
Gachagua argued that the deployment of senior government officials, heightened security operations and the distribution of items such as cooking gas cylinders, mattresses and cash amounted to an attempt to sway the electorate.
Despite those efforts, he said, voters backed the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate, Kamau Ngotho, who defeated UDA’s Samuel Muchina.
The former deputy president described the result as an early indication of the political mood ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying it reflected growing resistance to the ruling party in the Mt Kenya region.
The competing claims have once again drawn attention to campaign financing and election spending in Kenya.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has proposed new spending limits for candidates seeking elective office, with ceilings varying according to the size and nature of each constituency. The proposals, however, have not yet taken effect.
Under the draft framework, North Horr Constituency in Marsabit County would have one of the highest campaign spending limits at Sh94 million because of its vast geographical area. Proposed caps for other constituencies include Sh22.4 million for Kilgoris, Sh14.5 million for Kibra and Sh11.2 million for Tetu.
If adopted, the spending limits are intended to improve transparency and create a more level playing field during election campaigns.
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