By Bonface Mulyungi
The race for the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat finally took off when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) authorised four candidates to contest the July 16, 2026, by-election, which saw political parties demonstrate their strength and mobilise their grassroots.
The two-day clearance exercise in Ol Kalou town drew large crowds as supporters of the candidates followed them in convoys, party songs and branded regalia, indicating the high political stakes in a mini-poll to replace the late Ol Kalou MP, David Njuguna Kiaraho.
Ruling party’s candidature
Samuel Muchina Nyaga, a candidate for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), was cleared on Monday, May 22, 2026, and had a crowd of supporters at the nomination centre who shouted pro-government slogans as the ruling party stepped up its bid to take a seat that normally belongs to the Jubilee Party.
Muchina was accompanied by youth groups and leaders from the area, whose presence was seen as a testament to the growing grassroots presence of the UDA in Nyandarua County. He promised to promote development programmes that were launched by the late Kiaraho and urged for peaceful campaigns during the election period.
DCP’s showdown
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho was also cleared, and allies to the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, led by Nyandarua Senator and the party’s secretary general designate John Methu, took the chance to showcase what they claimed was the rising influence of the party in the area.
During the exercise, the leaders accompanying the DCP candidate assured voters of an intense campaign in the constituency. Former MCA and veteran grassroots mobiliser Ngotho has emerged as one of the big contenders in the race.
Jubilee’s bid to defend the slot
Jubilee Party candidate Wilson Kigwa was equally cleared by the IEBC as the former ruling party seeks to defend a seat it has held since 2013 through the late Kiaraho, who served three consecutive terms on a Jubilee ticket
The leaders described the by-election as a critical political battle and expressed confidence that Ol Kalou voters would remain loyal to the party that sponsored Kiaraho throughout his political career. The party says renewed grassroots enthusiasm has energised its campaign machinery ahead of the vote.
Other candidates
People’s Restoration Party (PRP) candidate Kamau is also among other candidates that were cleared to run by the electoral body after making a dramatic and whirlwind arrival at the nomination centre on a donkey in a symbolic gesture to the ordinary wananchi and grassroots voters.
The exercise was meant to see the rise of rivalry between political parties as they prepare to dominate Nyandarua County ahead of the upcoming 2027 General Election, with each party testing their mobilising capacity and influence in the region.
The high turnout of voters during the exercise indicates that the election will be a tight race and highly politicised, and will attract national interest in the coming weeks as both sides will be contesting the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
Weeks of heated campaigns are expected to sweep the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026 as a result of the death of the member of parliament, David Njuguna Kiaraho, earlier this year, according to the IEBC.
