By Bonface Mulyungi
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has officially unveiled Samuel Muchina Nyaga as its candidate for the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026.
In a statement shared on X on Saturday, May 9, 2026, UDA congratulated Muchina after he emerged victorious in a hotly contested party primary held on Friday, May 8.
“Congratulations, Samuel Muchina Nyagah, on your nomination to carry the UDA flag for the Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for Thursday, 16th July 2026,” the party stated.
UDA party primaries’ results in Ol Kalou
According to results released by the party, Muchina secured 3,221 votes to clinch the nomination certificate after edging out his closest rival, George Wambugu Kanuri, who garnered 3,077 votes.
The closely fought contest attracted ten aspirants, highlighting the high political stakes surrounding the by-election in Ol Kalou Constituency.
Other candidates included Peter Njoroge Mugo, who garnered 1,049 votes, Mary Nyokabi Kamau, who managed 406 votes, Peter Chuchu Njuguna, who garnered 158 votes, and Maina Kiambati, who managed 96 votes.
Others are Joseph Ndirangu (90 votes), Ezekiah Kamweru (66 votes), Daniel Ndungu (52 votes), and Stanley Mwangi (43 votes).
UDA National Elections Board member Jimmy Kahindi officially handed Muchina the nomination certificate during an event held at Mumbi Primary School.The exercise came days after the party announced a review and postponement of the nomination process following consultations with party members and candidates.
Focus shifts to July by-electionWith the primaries now concluded, attention is expected to shift to the main by-election campaign as UDA seeks to retain its grip on the constituency.
The Ol Kalou by-election is expected to attract significant political attention, with parties likely to use it as a test of their popularity and grassroots mobilisation strength in the Mt Kenya region as it battles out with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), which is set to hold its primaries on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
DCP had formally notified the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that it would hold its party primaries for the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat on May 9, 2026.
In a letter dated April 27, 2026, and signed by the party’s secretary general, Hezron Obaga, the party said the exercise will run from 6 am to 5 pm across all gazetted polling stations in Ol Kalou Constituency.The party said it will follow electoral laws and its internal nomination rules during the process.
DCP told the IEBC that it will attach a full list of the polling stations to be used in the primaries. It also asked the commission to acknowledge receipt of the notification.“The party remains committed to upholding transparency, fairness, and credibility throughout the nomination process,” the letter reads.
