Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hailed the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) nominations in Ol Kalou after Sammy Kamau Ngotho won the party ticket ahead of the July 16 parliamentary by-election.
Gachagua, who is the founder and leader of DCP, said the exercise demonstrated the party’s commitment to democracy and transparent internal processes.
Sammy Kamau garnered 12,957 votes in the party primaries, positioning him for a major political showdown with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate in the upcoming mini-poll.
UDA has already settled on the late MP David Kiaraho’s former aide, Muchina, as its flagbearer after party primaries conducted using electronic voting.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of area MP David Njuguna Kiaraho on March 29, 2026, while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula later declared the seat vacant, paving the way for a by-election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced that the by-election will be held on July 16, 2026. The commission directed political parties to submit names of aspirants and dates of party primaries before May 4, while nomination papers for candidates are scheduled for submission on May 25 and 26.
IEBC also said campaigns for the by-election will run from May 25 to July 13 and that voter registration and revision in the constituency will remain suspended until after the poll.
Speaking after the DCP primaries, Gachagua thanked residents of Ol Kalou for turning out in large numbers to vote and maintaining peace throughout the exercise.
“This contest has demonstrated to the people of Kenya that our party is a free and democratic space for all and it is the voice of the Kenyan people that we listen to,” Gachagua said.
He also urged aspirants who lost in the nominations to support the winner and continue strengthening the party ahead of the by-election and the 2027 General Election.
The former Deputy President further praised the DCP National Elections Board, polling officials and the National Police Service in Nyandarua County for ensuring smooth and peaceful nominations.
Political observers are closely watching the Ol Kalou contest, which is shaping up as an early test of political strength between Gachagua’s DCP and President William Ruto’s UDA in the Mount Kenya region ahead of the 2027 elections.
