Duale downplays DCP’s Ol Kalou win, hails UDA’s previous wins
By Francis Muli, July 16, 2026Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has downplayed the Democracy for Citizens Party’s (DCP) victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, arguing that the result does little to alter the country’s political landscape.
According to Duale, the country’s political landscape continues to be dominated by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and its broad-based government partner, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
In a statement on Thursday, July 16, 2026, following the conclusion of recent parliamentary and senatorial by-elections, Duale said the overall results reaffirmed UDA’s position as Kenya’s largest political party under President William Ruto’s leadership.
“The outcome of the parliamentary and senatorial by-elections paints a clear picture of the prevailing political landscape in Kenya,” Duale said.
He noted that UDA won six of the ten parliamentary and senatorial seats contested in by-elections held across the country at different times.
“Across the ten contests held in different parts of the country at different times, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secured six seats, reaffirming its position as the country’s leading political party and demonstrating sustained public confidence in its leadership, policies and development agenda, steered by H.E. President William Ruto,” he said.
Duale’s remarks come after the DCP celebrated its victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with opposition leaders portraying the result as a major political statement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
However, the cabinet secretary argued that the broader by-election picture favoured the ruling coalition.
He said the results demonstrated the strength of the Broad-Based Government arrangement between UDA and ODM, noting that the two parties collectively secured nine of the ten seats contested.
“Importantly, these outcomes also highlight the significance of the Broad-Based Government arrangement, which has brought together leaders and parties committed to national stability, unity and development,” Duale said.
“Combined, UDA and ODM—our partners in the Broad-Based Government—account for nine of the ten seats contested, representing 90 per cent of the by-election victories.”
Duale also described the by-elections as evidence of Kenya’s democratic maturity, saying the ability of different political parties to campaign freely and win seats in their respective strongholds reflected a healthy democratic process.
“At the same time, the results underscore the strength and maturity of Kenya’s democracy. The ability of different political parties to compete freely, campaign openly and secure victories in their respective strongholds demonstrates a democratic system that continues to grow and deepen,” he said.
The Ol Kalou by-election had attracted national attention after DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho defeated his rivals, according to preliminary results, in a contest widely viewed as a test of political influence in the Mt Kenya region.
Opposition leaders, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have described the outcome as a rejection of Ruto’s administration and a signal of shifting political fortunes ahead of the 2027 elections.