Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has congratulated Sammy Kamau Ngotho after emerging victorious in the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) primaries for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

In a statement shared on his social media pages on Sunday, May 10, 2026, according to Gachagua, Ngotho, who garnered a total of 12,957 votes in the primaries, is a demonstration to Kenyans that the DCP party is a free and democratic space where the voices of people are respected.

He stated that the party remains committed to open democratic processes, insisting that it is the people who own the party and decide the leaders they want.

“Congratulations, Sammy Kamau Ngotho, for winning the Olkalou Parliamentary party primaries for the DCP PARTY, garnering a total of 12,957 votes.”

“This contest has demonstrated to the people of Kenya that our party is a free and democratic space for all, and it is the voice of the Kenyan people that we listen to. We are committed to open democratic processes, and it is the people who own the party; they choose the leaders they want to be led by,” Gachagua said

The former deputy president thanked the people of Ol Kalou for turning out in large numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice. He also appreciated thousands of party members who participated in the exercise peacefully, saying their support showed confidence in the party.

Gachagua’s plea’s to candidates

At the same time, Gachagua praised candidates who lost in the nominations, describing them as true heroes for participating in the contest and agreeing to support the winner. He assured them that their place in the party remains secure and encouraged them to actively campaign for the party’s candidate ahead of the by-election.

He also commended the National Elections Board for what he termed as meticulous planning that resulted in one of the most organised and transparent party nominations since the return of multiparty democracy in 1992.

He further applauded the returning officer, presiding officers, polling clerks, and the party secretary general, together with his staff, for ensuring smooth logistics during the exercise.

Gachagua also thanked the National Police Service in Nyandarua County for providing security at polling stations, the tallying centre, and across the constituency to ensure law and order prevailed throughout the exercise.

He expressed hope that the same professionalism would be witnessed during the July 16, 2026, by-election and in the run-up to the 2027 general election.

He once again congratulated Sammy Kamau Ngotho and wished him success ahead of the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

DCP Ol Kalou primaries

This comes after a stellar performance by the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party in its Ol Kalou primaries, which saw a massive turnout dwarfing that of the UDA party. Samuel Kamau Ngotho won the ticket with 12,957 votes, with his individual tally surpassing both the turnout and the total votes of the ruling party’s exercise.

The second runner-up, Paul Waiganjo, came a distant second with 4,978 votes, while Peter Karanja came third with 3,919 votes, pushing the total turnout for the DCP exercise to over 20,000 votes, far ahead of the UDA party.