The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has secured its first parliamentary seat after Sammy Kamau Ngotho won the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election in Kenya’s Nyandarua County with a landslide victory.
Official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Friday showed Kamau garnering 35,440 votes, comfortably defeating United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who received 5,450 votes.
Jubilee Party candidate Wilson Kigwa finished third with 198 votes, followed by Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka (NLP) with 103 votes, Timothy Kamau Kariuki (PPM) with 51 votes, Edwin Kariiri Muchiri (PNU) with 28 votes, Abdifatah Hussein Abdullahi (FPK) with 19 votes, Edward Mathenge Mwaniki (KKM) with 16 votes, and Rachael Wangui Njoroge (PDP) with 11 votes.
According to the electoral commission, the by-election recorded a 57 per cent voter turnout, with 41,656 ballots cast out of 73,480 registered voters.
The emphatic victory hands DCP its first parliamentary seat since the party’s formation and marks a significant political breakthrough for the outfit associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Political observers view the outcome as a major setback for President William Ruto’s ruling UDA and an early indication of shifting political dynamics in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The by-election was triggered by the death of former Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, making it the constituency’s first parliamentary contest since the 2022 General Election.
The race attracted intense national attention, with senior political leaders from both the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the opposition holding numerous rallies across the constituency.
UDA anchored its campaign on the government’s development agenda, deploying Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, governors and Members of Parliament to rally support for Samuel Muchina Nyagah. Government leaders also oversaw the distribution of items including mattresses, water tanks, gas cylinders and boats, maintaining that they were part of ongoing development programmes.
DCP, meanwhile, focused its campaign on the rising cost of living, economic hardship and calls for political change, with Rigathi Gachagua leading several campaign rallies alongside Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Woman Representative Wanjiku Muhia and other opposition leaders.
Throughout the campaign period, both sides traded accusations of voter bribery, intimidation and destruction of campaign materials. The IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee summoned several politicians over alleged violations of campaign rules, fined some and directed them to commit to peaceful campaigns.
Despite the successful conclusion of the vote, the by-election was overshadowed by violence.
Armed men travelling in unmarked vehicles allegedly attacked residents, political supporters and journalists during polling day. Police fired tear gas at several polling stations to disperse crowds as tensions escalated, leaving several people injured.
Journalists covering both the campaigns and polling day were among those targeted. Media stakeholders and press freedom organisations condemned the attacks after reporters and photojournalists were allegedly assaulted, threatened and robbed of their equipment while carrying out their duties.
More than 1,000 security officers, drawn from the General Service Unit (GSU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the regular police, had been deployed across the constituency to secure the exercise.
Following the close of voting, ballot boxes were transported under heavy police escort to the constituency tallying centre at Ol Kalou Senior School.
As Kamau’s lead became insurmountable, jubilant DCP supporters gathered outside the tallying centre singing, praying and celebrating what they described as a historic victory.
The outcome is expected to strengthen Gachagua’s influence in the Mt Kenya region while providing fresh political momentum for DCP as political parties begin positioning themselves for Kenya’s 2027 General Election
