The people of Ol Kalou Constituency have spoken, and they have spoken with a thunderous voice. Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has been declared the duly elected Member of the National Assembly for Ol Kalou Constituency following Thursday’s by-election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Returning Officer, Antony Njiraine, made the official declaration, with Kamau Waweru polling an impressive 35,440 votes to clinch the seat that fell vacant after the death of former MP David Njuguna Kiaraho in March 2026.
The victory is nothing short of historic. Kamau Waweru’s closest challenger, Samuel Muchina Nyagah of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), could only manage 5,450 votes, finishing a distant second.
The other seven candidates barely registered a pulse on the scoreboard. Wilson Mwani Kiqwa of Jubilee managed 198 votes, Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka of NLP got 103, Timothy Kamau Kariuki of PM had 51, Edwin Kariiri Muchiri of PNU polled 28, Abdifatah Hussein Abdullahi of FPK got 19, Edward Mathenge Mwani of KMM had 16, and Rachael Wangui Njoroge of PDP brought up the rear with just 11 votes.
In terms of numbers, the IEBC recorded 73,480 registered voters across the constituency, with 41,656 votes cast, translating to a voter turnout of approximately 57 percent.
What makes this victory particularly significant is the political context. The Ol Kalou by-election was widely seen as a major test of strength between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whose DCP party was contesting its first parliamentary seat. The outcome has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with Kamau Waweru winning by a margin of over 85 percent of the votes cast.
Gachagua, who threw his full weight behind the DCP candidate, did not hide his elation. In a statement shared on his social media platforms, he congratulated Kamau Waweru on what he described as a “historic election” reflecting the unmistakable voice of the people. He thanked the people of Ol Kalou for refusing to sell their birthright and for not falling for the deception of development projects touted by the government.
In a characteristically colourful remark, Gachagua said he had been struggling with 18 soldiers but now had 19, adding that things would be much better. He also praised campaign leaders Senator John Methu and Hon. Wanjiku Muhia Ngatha for their outstanding leadership throughout the three-month campaign.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also weighed in, congratulating Kamau Waweru on his imminent victory even before the IEBC made the official declaration. Kindiki urged the incoming MP to unite the residents and serve them all without distinction.
In a gracious gesture, he also commended the UDA candidate, Samuel Muchina, for running a mature and issue-based campaign, telling him that while he may not have succeeded today, his star shines bright into the future.
For his part, Muchina conceded defeat gracefully, congratulating his rival and urging him to go and serve the people of Ol Kalou diligently. His concession brought to a close one of the most fiercely contested by-elections in recent memory.
The campaigns were not without their controversies. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro condemned what he described as unprecedented state-sponsored violence that marred both the campaigns and the voting process.
Gachagua himself had earlier raised concerns about rogue police officers armed with guns and tear gas, accusing them of trying to intimidate voters.
Kamau Waweru, who hails from Ol Kalou Constituency, is no stranger to grassroots politics. He previously served as the first Member of County Assembly for Karau Ward and later worked as a Protocol Officer and Political Advisor in the Office of the former Deputy President.
He joined DCP and served as the party’s Nyandarua County Coordinator, helping to build party structures at the grassroots level.
He now faces the task of fulfilling his campaign promises, which include improving infrastructure, supporting farmers, expanding employment opportunities for the youth, and ensuring better delivery of public services in Ol Kalou.
The IEBC has since thanked the voters of Ol Kalou Constituency, candidates, political parties, election officials, security agencies, observers, the media, and all stakeholders for contributing to a peaceful and orderly electoral process.
0 Comments