When former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua dramatically cut short his United States tour, he returned with thunder, confidence, and a promise that sounded like the trailer of an action movie. Declaring he was “coming back to help the united opposition capture the by-elections,” Gachagua set expectations sky-high.
But it was his now-famous roadside metaphor that truly stole the show: “Kwa hizi by-elections zinakuja nitakimbiza William Ruto kama baiskeli ya kuibiwa.” Kenyans waited. Memes were drafted. Hashtags warmed up. Political spectators stocked popcorn.
Then the votes were counted.
Instead of a high-speed political chase, the results looked more like a bicycle with a flat tyre parked outside a shopping centre. The ruling United Democratic Alliance swept all four seats — Isiolo South MP, West Kabras Ward MCA, Evurore Ward MCA, and Muminji Ward MCA — leaving the opposition searching for both votes and metaphors.
On social media, the reaction was swift and merciless. Kenyans joked that the only thing that ran like a stolen bicycle was the UDA tallying process. Others asked whether the bicycle Gachagua mentioned had perhaps been impounded for lacking political insurance.
Even comparisons with President William Ruto resurfaced, with online commentators quipping that instead of being chased, Ruto appeared to be calmly cycling past cheering supporters while the opposition struggled to locate the pedals.
Political analysts say the outcome sends a clear message: rhetoric can electrify crowds, but elections demand organization, grassroots networks, and candidate appeal. Gachagua’s fiery declarations may have energized supporters, but the ballot box offered a colder, quieter verdict.
Still, Kenyan politics thrives on drama, and few doubt Gachagua’s ability to deliver memorable one-liners. The question now is whether his next political bicycle will finally pick up speed — or remain parked as another classic meme in Kenya’s ever-creative political theatre.
