Flamboyant politician Robert Riaga, popularly known as ‘Money Bior’, has become the subject of intense public scrutiny after a bruising loss in the Kasipul by-election, a defeat made more stark by his subsequent display of wealth and emerging serious criminal allegations.

The businessman’s high-stakes gamble to capture the parliamentary seat, funded by a self-proclaimed KSh 40 million war chest, ended in a distant fourth-place finish. This outcome immediately raises the question for many Kenyans: in a country grappling with a high cost of living, what does such extravagant political spending, untethered from electoral reality, say about the state of our leadership?

The by-election, held on November 27, 2025, saw the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate, Boyd Were, clinch a decisive victory with 16,819 votes. Independent candidate Philip Nashon Aroko came in second with 8,476 votes, while Riaga, also running as an independent, secured a mere 519 votes. This means his expenditure translates to an astonishing KSh 77,000 per vote.

From Lavish Campaigns to Legal Troubles

Riaga’s campaign was anything but subtle. He was noted for his flashy lifestyle and unconventional tactics, which included handing out cash to residents during rallies. Prior to the election, he also engaged in high-profile philanthropy, at one point paying KSh 850,000 to clear the medical bills for 108 patients at Rachuonyo Sub-county Hospital. Despite these efforts, voters were seemingly unimpressed.

In the wake of his defeat, Riaga lamented his financial losses in a radio interview but defiantly pledged to spend another KSh 40 million in 2027. However, public mockery over his vote tally was quickly overshadowed by more sinister developments. Allegations surfaced that Riaga had summoned his campaign team to his home, where they were allegedly assaulted by hired goons for failing to deliver a win. One agent reportedly filed a formal complaint at Oyugis Police Station.

The politician's troubles have now escalated dramatically. Court documents reveal that Riaga is at the center of a sweeping investigation into an alleged international fraud ring accused of scamming an American investor out of Sh500 million (approx. $3.8 million). A Milimani court has granted detectives from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit warrants to raid multiple premises linked to Riaga and 17 other suspects.

A Lifestyle Under Scrutiny

The source of Riaga's immense wealth has long been a subject of speculation, with allegations linking him to “wash wash” and gold fraud schemes. While the original social media chatter focused on a supposed mansion in Karen—a suburb where luxury homes can cost upwards of KSh 150 million (approx. $1.15 million)—it is his palatial home in his rural village that has drawn significant attention online. This display of opulence, juxtaposed with his electoral failure and the serious fraud investigation, paints a troubling picture.

• Election Winner: Boyd Were (ODM) - 16,819 votes
• Runner-Up: Philip Nashon Aroko (Independent) - 8,476 votes
• Money Bior's Tally: 519 votes (4th place)
• Reported Campaign Spend: KSh 40 million
• Alleged Fraud Investigation: KSh 500 million

As investigators unravel the complex web of allegations against him, the story of Money Bior serves as a stark reminder of the critical questions surrounding campaign financing and the sources of wealth for those who seek public office. For the voters of Kasipul, their decision at the ballot box appears to have been a resounding rejection of a brand of politics that prioritizes flash over substance.