NYANDARUA, Kenya- Nyandarua Senator John Methu is set to host a major celebration in honour of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with a feast featuring goats and bulls planned as residents mark what allies have described as a historic political upset.
The celebration will come days after DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru was declared the new Ol Kalou MP after securing 35,440 votes, overwhelmingly defeating United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who managed 5,450 votes.
The results delivered a crushing defeat to UDA in a constituency that had become a major political battleground ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the contest viewed as a test of influence between President William Ruto’s party and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP.
Methu, one of the key figures who campaigned for the DCP candidate, is expected to lead supporters in celebrating the victory, which has energized opposition allies in the Mt Kenya region.
The senator’s planned event is expected to attract political leaders, grassroots supporters and residents, with preparations including traditional celebrations featuring livestock slaughtered for the occasion.
UDA’s Heavy Campaign Spending Fails to Deliver
The Ol Kalou contest had attracted intense attention, with UDA mounting a high-powered campaign as it sought to retain influence in the region.
The ruling party rolled out a major mobilisation drive, with government officials launching and fast-tracking projects in the constituency before the vote, while supporters reported distribution of various items and assistance programmes during the campaign period.
However, the heavy political investment failed to translate into votes, as Waweru opened a margin of nearly 30,000 votes against the UDA candidate.
UDA’s defeat has raised questions over whether development announcements and campaign-time interventions were enough to sway voters who appeared determined to send a political message.
The outcome also strengthened DCP’s position in Mt Kenya politics, with allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua describing the win as a rejection of UDA’s dominance in the region.
The Ol Kalou by-election was triggered following the death of former MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, creating one of the most closely watched political contests ahead of 2027.