NYANDARUA, Kenya- Sammy Kamau Ngotho has won the Democratic for the Citizens Party (DCP) nomination for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after securing a decisive victory in a highly competitive party exercise that attracted massive voter participation.
Ngotho garnered 12,957 votes in the nominations, emerging far ahead of his closest rival, who trailed with a distant vote count.
Musician cum politician Paul Waiganjo came second with 4, 978 votes.
The exercise saw a high turnout, with more than 20,000 party members participating, more than double the turnout recorded during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominations in the constituency on Friday.
The strong participation has been interpreted by party officials as a sign of growing grassroots mobilisation and heightened political interest in the Ol Kalou by-election, scheduled for July 16.
The DCP contest attracted multiple aspirants seeking the party ticket, but Ngotho pulled ahead early in the tallying process and maintained a commanding lead throughout the exercise.
The nomination process was described as largely peaceful, with party officials commending members for maintaining order during the exercise.
Ngotho, a former parliamentary aspirant in the constituency, is now expected to lead DCP’s campaign into the main election battle against rivals from UDA and other parties.
Political observers say the scale of participation and margin of victory could reshape the dynamics of the upcoming by-election in Nyandarua County, where parties are intensifying campaigns following the death of former MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.
The Ol Kalou by-election is being closely watched as a key political test in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Former Deputy President and DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua hailed the residents of Ol Kalou for turning out in large numbers to pick their preferred candidate for the July by-election.
