Ol-Kalou MP-elect Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau with Nyandarua Senator John Methu
DCP’s Sammy Kamau Ngotho won the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election with 35,440 votes against UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyaga’s 5,450. The victory came despite an intensive government development campaign and prompted reactions from Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election has emerged as one of the most politically significant contests ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the opposition Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) securing a commanding victory over the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) despite an intense government campaign and heavy deployment of development projects.
The by-election, necessitated by the death of former MP David Kiaraho, was widely viewed as an early political test between President William Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, whose DCP backed the winning candidate.
DCP Wins by a Landslide
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho Waweru was declared the winner after garnering 35,440 votes, while UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyaga finished a distant second with 5,450 votes.
Other candidates posted significantly lower tallies:
- Wilson Kigwa (Jubilee) – 198 votes
- Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka (NLP) – 103 votes
- Timothy Kamau Kariuki (PM) – 51 votes
- Edwin Kariiri Muchiri (PNU) – 28 votes
- Abdifatah Hussein Abdullahi (FPK) – 19 votes
- Edward Mathenge Mwaniki (KMM) – 16 votes
- Rachael Wangui Njoroge (PDP) – 11 votes
The constituency recorded a 57 per cent voter turnout, with 41,656 ballots cast out of 73,480 registered voters.
Government’s Development Push Fails to Swing Voters
The campaign attracted national attention after the government rolled out numerous development initiatives and empowerment programmes in the constituency in the weeks leading to the poll.
Projects and items highlighted during the campaign included:
- Relaunch of the Gilgil–Nyahururu railway line.
- Donation of fishing boats and motorised speedboats.
- Distribution of government-branded mattresses.
- Roll-out of subsidised six-kilogram LPG gas cylinders.
- Installation of electricity poles.
- Construction of boreholes.
- Road improvement projects.
- A pledge of KSh10 billion for development projects in the constituency.
Opposition leaders alleged the initiatives amounted to voter inducement, while government leaders maintained they were legitimate development programmes. The IEBC warned against voter bribery during the campaign but did not halt the election.
Gachagua Thanks Ol Kalou Voters
Following the victory, Rigathi Gachagua announced a thanksgiving tour across Ol Kalou Constituency, accompanied by Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia and other DCP leaders.
Congratulating the newly elected MP, Gachagua described the result as historic for his party.
“Congratulations, Hon. Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, on your historic election as the Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou Constituency. You have won by a resounding margin, reflecting the unmistakable voice of the people.”
He also thanked voters for backing DCP.
“To the great people of Ol Kalou, thank you for giving our party, DCP, its first Member of the National Assembly. Thank you for refusing to sell your birthright and for being wise enough not to fall for the deception of development projects.”
Ruto Calls for Unity After Poll
Speaking at State House after the by-election, President William Ruto urged Kenyans not to allow elections to divide the country.
“Elections are not a matter of life and death. There will be Kenya after the election and we must live together as brothers and sisters of one nation.”
The President said leaders should focus on development rather than political rivalry, noting that elected leaders would ultimately be judged by the improvements they deliver to wananchi.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing development projects across the country regardless of political affiliation.
Political Significance
The Ol Kalou outcome has been widely interpreted by political observers as an early indication of shifting political dynamics in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election. While DCP celebrated the result as evidence of growing support, UDA leaders downplayed the defeat, arguing that the by-election was only one contest and that the ultimate political battle remains the 2027 General Election.
