Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes 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, saying the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) spent about Sh100 million on the campaign.
Speaking during a local media interview on Monday, Ruku said the campaign resources were financed by the party through allocations from the Political Parties Fund, insisting that no public funds from the National Treasury were used to support the by-election campaign.
He maintained that items distributed during the campaign, including cooking gas cylinders, mattresses, fishing boats and fish fingerlings, were funded by the UDA as part of its election strategy rather than by the government.
"The goodies and campaign support distributed in the constituency during the just-concluded by-election were worth approximately Sh100 million. In any case, the government does not finance election campaigns, but the party does. Remember, UDA has money it gets from the Political Parties Fund."
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the campaign included the distribution of thousands of six-kilogramme LPG cooking gas cylinders, mattresses, two motorised fishing boats valued at Sh5 million, and 20,000 fish fingerlings to support aquaculture in the constituency.
He also highlighted a series of development initiatives showcased during the campaign period, including the revival of the Nairobi–Nyahururu railway line, construction of the 37-kilometre Ithangani–Ngorika–Kanyiriri road, improvements at the Ol Kalou Market through the installation of translucent roofing for vending areas, as well as the distribution of water pipes, electricity poles, food donations and cash handouts.
Ruku's remarks come after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused President William Ruto's administration of deploying massive financial resources and government projects in Nyandarua County to influence voters during the by-election.
According to Gachagua, more than Sh1 billion in cash and over Sh14 billion worth of government projects were committed during the campaign period in an effort to sway the electorate.
He also alleged that the deployment of senior government officials, heightened security presence and the distribution of items including gas cylinders, mattresses and cash formed part of efforts to influence the outcome.
Despite the claims, Gachagua maintained that voters rejected the ruling party's campaign, pointing to the landslide victory of Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, who secured 35,440 votes against 5,450 votes for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah.
He argued that the outcome showed voters were not swayed by campaign handouts or the deployment of senior government officials, describing the result as a rejection of attempts to influence the electorate.
The exchange has reignited debate over campaign financing and electoral spending as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) moves to operationalise the Election Campaign Financing Act ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The electoral agency has published draft regulations proposing spending limits for candidates and political parties, saying the reforms are intended to enhance transparency, accountability and fairness while curbing excessive campaign expenditure.
The proposals are currently undergoing the public participation and parliamentary approval process before they can take effect.