Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau after being declared the winner.
OL KALOU, Kenya – Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau has been declared the new Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou Constituency after recording a landslide victory in the highly contested by-election, delivering a major political statement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) showed Waweru securing 35,440 votes, overwhelmingly defeating United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who garnered 5,450 votes.
The remaining candidates received significantly fewer votes. Wilson Mwaniki of Jubilee Party polled 198 votes, Stephen Waithaka of the National Liberal Party (NLP) received 103, Timothy Kariuki of PPM obtained 51, Edwin Kareri of PNU garnered 28, Abdifatah Hussein Abdallah of FPK received 19, Edward Mathenge of KKM managed 16, while Rachel Wangui of PDP received 11 votes.
The victory marks a historic milestone for the Democracy for the Citizens Party, giving the relatively new political outfit its first parliamentary seat since its formation. Political observers have described the outcome as a significant boost for the opposition and a setback for President William Ruto’s UDA, particularly in the politically strategic Mt. Kenya region, long regarded as one of the ruling party’s key support bases.
The Ol Kalou by-election attracted national attention, drawing top political leaders from both the government and opposition camps. Senior Kenya Kwanza officials campaigned vigorously for Samuel Muchina Nyagah, urging residents to support the government’s development agenda and ongoing infrastructure projects in the constituency.
On the other hand, opposition leaders led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua rallied behind Waweru, focusing their campaigns on the high cost of living, unemployment, economic hardships facing ordinary Kenyans, and the need for political change.
The campaign period, however, was marred by controversy. Several allegations of voter bribery, intimidation, violence, and destruction of campaign materials were reported by rival camps. The IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee summoned a number of politicians over alleged violations of electoral regulations.
Journalists covering campaign activities also reported attacks by suspected goons during some political events, raising concerns over press freedom and the safety of media personnel during election periods.
Security remained tight throughout polling day, with more than 1,000 police officers deployed across Ol Kalou Constituency to ensure peaceful voting and safeguard election materials. After voting ended, ballot boxes were transported under heavy police escort to the tallying centre at Ol Kalou Senior School, where counting and verification continued into the night.
Moments after the final results were announced, jubilant DCP supporters broke into celebrations outside the tallying centre, waving party flags, singing victory songs, and declaring the outcome a turning point in the country’s political landscape.
Political analysts say the by-election results are likely to reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 General Election. The victory is expected to strengthen Rigathi Gachagua’s influence in the Mt. Kenya region while increasing pressure on the ruling UDA to consolidate its support in one of its traditional strongholds.
With the opposition now securing a symbolic foothold in Parliament through the Ol Kalou seat, attention is expected to shift to how both the government and opposition reposition themselves in the run-up to the next general election.