NAIROBI, Kenya- Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi has described the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)’s defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election as a wake-up call, saying the outcome had prompted the ruling party to reflect on its political strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, Sudi said UDA had accepted the outcome of the July 16 by-election and was ready to work with the constituency’s newly elected Member of Parliament.
“The outcome of elections is the decision of God, not human beings. God’s plan will lead us all. I can assure you that Mt Kenya will not get lost. The Ol Kalou by-election was good; it opened our eyes. We are not fools,” Sudi said.
“We accepted the defeat in the Ol Kalou by-election. We raised our hands and accepted defeat. The elected MP will come to Parliament and we shall work with him. Let us stop insults and politics of division. I ask Kenyans from all political divides to love each other and be united. Let us not move as if we are enemies.”
Cabinet appointments remain President’s decision
Sudi also addressed speculation over possible Cabinet changes following the by-election, saying the appointment or dismissal of Cabinet Secretaries is solely the prerogative of President William Ruto.
He argued against linking the election outcome to the performance of Cabinet Secretaries from the Mt. Kenya region, noting that they played a significant role in the formation of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Appointments of Cabinet Secretaries are President William Ruto’s job. If it were me, I would not remove Mt Kenya ministers from Cabinet based on the outcome of the Ol Kalou by-election. Cabinet Secretaries from Mt Kenya contributed so much to the formation of the current regime,” he said.
UDA suffers major setback
Sudi’s remarks come days after Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru won the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election by a landslide.
According to official results released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Waweru secured 35,440 votes, while UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah garnered 5,450 votes.
The victory handed DCP its first parliamentary seat since its formation and dealt UDA a significant political setback in what had been viewed as a key test of political influence in the Mt. Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Intense campaign and allegations
UDA mounted an extensive campaign centred on ongoing government development projects, with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, governors and Members of Parliament campaigning across the constituency in support of Nyagah.
The campaign also featured the distribution of items including mattresses, water tanks, gas cylinders and fishing boats, which government leaders said were part of existing development programmes. Opposition leaders, however, argued the initiatives were intended to influence voters.
Meanwhile, DCP anchored its campaign on the high cost of living, economic challenges and calls for political change, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua leading several rallies alongside Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Nyandarua Woman Representative Wanjiku Muhia and other opposition figures.
The by-election was also marked by allegations of voter bribery, violence, intimidation and destruction of campaign materials, issues that drew attention from political leaders and civil society groups during the campaign period.