By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, July 17, 2026 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has claimed a resounding victory in the fiercely contested Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, handing the opposition outfit its first-ever seat in the National Assembly and delivering a major political blow to President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from all 144 polling stations showed DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho securing 35,228 votes, more than six times the tally of UDA's Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who garnered 5,402 votes.
The remaining candidates trailed far behind, with Jubilee Party's Eng. Wilson Kigwa receiving 164 votes, National Liberal Party's Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka 85 votes, and People's Movement candidate Timothy Kariuki 45 votes. The constituency has 73,480 registered voters.
The emphatic victory is expected to reshape political calculations in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election, where Gachagua and President Ruto are locked in an escalating supremacy battle over the vote-rich region.
Moments before the official declaration of the results, an elated Gachagua took to his official Facebook page to celebrate what he termed a historic victory for his fledgling party.
"Congratulations, Hon. Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, on your historic election as the Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou Constituency. You have won by a resounding margin, reflecting the unmistakable voice of the people," he wrote.
The DCP leader thanked Ol Kalou residents for electing the party's first Member of Parliament, saying the outcome demonstrated that voters had rejected attempts to influence them through development pledges.
"Thank you, my great people, for refusing to sell your birthright and for being wise enough not to fall for the deception of development projects," Gachagua said.
He further alleged that voters remained steadfast despite intimidation.
"Thank you a million times for guarding your vote and for standing firm despite the actions of rogue police officers armed with guns and tear gas," he stated.
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Describing the victory as a boost to his political movement, Gachagua said the new MP had strengthened his growing opposition team.
"I have been struggling with 18 soldiers but with great results; now I have 19, things will be much better," he remarked.
The former Deputy President also praised his campaign team, singling out Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia for leading what he described as a successful three-month campaign.
He announced that he would tour all five wards in the constituency on Friday to personally thank residents for their support.
The Ol Kalou by-election was triggered by the death of area MP David Kiaraho and attracted seven candidates, including contenders from Jubilee Party, People's Democratic Party, National Liberal Party, PNU and an independent aspirant.
Throughout the campaign, the contest evolved into a high-stakes political showdown between Gachagua and President Ruto, with analysts viewing it as a key measure of the shifting political influence in the Mt Kenya region.
The scale of DCP's victory is likely to embolden Gachagua as he seeks to consolidate support in the region, while piling pressure on UDA as political alignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.