By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, July 28, 2026 - Fresh from a landslide by-election victory, Ol Kalou MP-elect Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau chose an unconventional journey to Parliament on Tuesday, boarding a public service matatu for his swearing-in ceremony in a symbolic gesture aimed at showing he remains connected to ordinary Kenyans.
The newly elected Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) legislator shared photos and videos of the trip on social media, saying he was grateful for the trust placed in him by the people of Ol Kalou.
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. On our way to Parliament for the swearing-in ceremony. Grateful to God and the people of Ol Kalou for this honour," Kamau posted on X.
His choice of public transport comes just days after securing a decisive victory in one of Kenya's most closely watched by-elections, a contest widely viewed as an early test of political strength in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Official results released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) showed Kamau garnering 35,440 votes, comfortably defeating UDA's Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who received about 5,450 votes.
The victory marked a major milestone for DCP, handing the opposition party its first parliamentary seat since its formation while delivering a political setback to President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The Ol Kalou race attracted intense campaigning from both the ruling coalition and the opposition, with senior government officials and opposition leaders making repeated visits to the constituency.
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UDA campaigned on the government's development record, highlighting ongoing projects and distributing items such as mattresses, water tanks, gas cylinders and boats, insisting they formed part of existing development programmes.
The opposition, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, focused its campaign on the rising cost of living, economic hardship and calls for political change.
Kamau's decision to travel to Parliament by matatu has drawn attention online, with supporters describing it as a reflection of humility and a reminder of the ordinary citizens who elected him.
The first-time legislator now officially takes his seat in the National Assembly as DCP seeks to build on its breakthrough victory ahead of the 2027 polls.