OL KALOU, Kenya- Nyandarua Senator John Methu led an intensive final day of campaigns across Ol Kalou Constituency on Monday, expressing confidence that the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate, Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, will win Thursday’s parliamentary by-election.
Methu accompanied Waweru through several trading centres and villages in a last-minute push to consolidate support before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) deadline for campaigns to end at 6:00 p.m., ushering in the mandatory 48-hour campaign silence ahead of the July 16 poll.
Addressing supporters, the senator said the DCP campaign had gained momentum throughout the race and predicted that voters would hand the party its first parliamentary seat.
“We are confident the people of Ol Kalou have made their decision. Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru will be the next Member of Parliament,” Methu told supporters during the final campaign stops.
The Ol Kalou by-election has evolved into one of the country’s most closely watched political contests, widely viewed as an early test of political influence in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The race has pitted President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah against DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, with both camps deploying senior political figures to campaign across the constituency.
Throughout the campaign period, Methu has emerged as one of DCP’s most visible figures, spearheading grassroots mobilisation and portraying Waweru’s campaign as a people-driven movement.
Earlier in the campaign, he led residents in a symbolic fundraising drive in which thousands contributed Sh10 each to buy the candidate a suit, saying it reflected grassroots support rather than reliance on wealthy sponsors.
The campaigns have, however, been overshadowed by allegations of voter bribery, destruction of campaign materials, political violence and intimidation.
The IEBC has warned that persistent breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct could undermine the credibility of the by-election, while security agencies have intensified patrols and warned politicians against incitement and the use of hired gangs.
The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of three-term MP David Kiaraho in March. Nine candidates are on the ballot, although political attention has largely focused on the contest between DCP and UDA.
Polling will take place on Thursday, July 16, with voting expected to begin at 6:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m.