The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho has been declared the winner of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after securing a decisive victory over his rivals.
According to official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Friday morning, Kamau garnered 35,440 votes, comfortably defeating United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga, who received 5,450 votes.
The remaining candidates finished as follows:
- Wilson Kigwa (Jubilee Party) – 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 IEBC reported a 57% voter turnout, with 41,656 ballots cast from a total of 73,480 registered voters.
Election Marred by Violence
The high-profile by-election, held on Thursday, was overshadowed by incidents of violence. Armed men travelling in unmarked vehicles allegedly attacked residents, journalists, and political supporters in several areas. Police also fired tear gas to disperse crowds at some polling stations after tensions escalated, leaving several people injured.
A Key Political Test
The contest attracted nationwide attention and was widely viewed as a major political battle between President William Ruto’s UDA and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The by-election was occasioned by the death of former Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, making it the constituency’s first parliamentary electoral contest since the 2022 General Election.
Campaigning was intense, with leaders from across the political divide crisscrossing the constituency. The race was also marked by allegations of voter bribery and cash handouts from rival political camps.
Looking Ahead
With the by-election now concluded, political observers are expected to closely monitor how the outcome influences party strategies and alliances as Kenya’s political landscape begins to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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