NAROK, KENYA – A political rally led by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua was abruptly terminated on Monday, November 24, 2025, after anti-riot police fired teargas into a crowd of his supporters in Narok town. The chaotic scenes, which unfolded just as DCP’s candidate for the Narok Township Ward by-election, Douglas Masikonde, was taking the stage, mark a significant escalation in the political tensions between the former Deputy President and the current government.

The confrontation occurred on the final day of campaigns for the by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025. Video footage circulated by Gachagua’s team showed teargas canisters landing and exploding within the crowd, causing panic as supporters, including women and children, choked and scattered for safety. Gachagua, who was seen wearing a protective helmet in anticipation of a confrontation, was forced to end the rally.

In a strongly worded statement following the incident, Gachagua accused President William Ruto’s administration of a deliberate and coordinated campaign of intimidation. He alleged that “clear instructions had been issued by this cowardly and brutal regime” to prevent him from accessing Narok town. Gachagua claimed that more than 1,000 police officers had been deployed and several roadblocks mounted on key routes to block his convoy. “President Ruto’s government is scared of me,” Gachagua stated. He said he managed to bypass the blockades with the help of local residents who guided him through village paths.

As of Tuesday morning, November 25, 2025, the National Police Service had not issued a formal statement responding to the events in Narok or to the specific allegations made by the DCP leader. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

A High-Stakes Local Contest

The Narok Township Ward by-election has become a crucial political battleground, drawing national attention far exceeding a typical local poll. The seat fell vacant following the death of Member of County Assembly (MCA) Lukas Kudate on February 16, 2024, after a long illness. The contest is now framed as a direct test of political strength between President Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Gachagua’s newly formed DCP.

UDA has fielded Robert Kanyinke Ole Kudate, the firstborn son of the late MCA. His candidacy is seen as a strategic move to consolidate support, and several other aspirants, including the late MCA's stepmother, stepped down in his favour. Gachagua’s DCP is backing Douglas Masikonde, positioning him as the main challenger.

Deepening Political Rift

The events in Narok are symptomatic of the widening chasm between President Ruto and his former deputy. Since his impeachment in 2024 and the subsequent launch of the DCP in May 2025, Gachagua has emerged as a vocal critic of the government, accusing it of corruption and failing to address the high cost of living. His party, with the slogan “Skiza Wakenya” (Listen to Kenyans), aims to challenge UDA's influence, particularly in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region.

A series of 24 by-elections taking place across the country on November 27 are widely viewed by political analysts as a litmus test for the political alignments shaping up ahead of the 2027 General Election. The contests in Narok and other areas like Mbeere North have become proxy battles between the two leaders, with both sides deploying significant resources and senior political figures to campaign for their respective candidates. The outcome of these mini-polls is expected to either solidify the administration's dominance or provide momentum to Gachagua's opposition movement. The use of police force in Narok has intensified the stakes, raising critical questions about democratic space and the conduct of elections in the country.