Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has stated that all parties within the united opposition will be allowed to field candidates in the upcoming by-election and that there is no need for a single-party arrangement.

While speaking during an interview with coastal radio stations, the outspoken Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader stated that this decision was reached after they realised they had no strong opposition and that their opponents from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are already weakened and have low chances of winning.

He added that they have now decided to have what he termed a “friendly fire” within the united opposition, where each party is free to face the other.

“We have no opposition in Ol Kalou. The UDA is finished, and that is why we have decided that each constituent party within the United Opposition will field a candidate and compete among ourselves. It will be friendly fire; UDA is not a threat in any way.”

Jubilee’s ol-kalou demands

This comes amid a standoff between the Jubilee Party and the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party on which party should field a candidate in the upcoming mini-poll.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and signed by Secretary General Montalel Ole Kenta, the party argued that the seat rightfully belongs to them since the former Member of Parliament, David Kiaraho, who died, leaving it vacant, was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket.

The Jubilee Party has maintained that it ceded ground in last year’s by-elections in favour of other parties within the broader United Opposition, citing constituencies such as Mbeere North and other areas where it stepped aside to support joint candidates.

The party has also pointed to the Emurua Dikirr contest, arguing that such cooperation should now be reciprocated, with other partners allowing Jubilee to field a candidate in the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election.

DCP Secretary General Hezron Obaga has sharply criticised Jubilee’s push, insisting that his party is fully prepared for the mini-polls and will go head-to-head with Jubilee if necessary.

DCP-Jubilee Olo Kalou standoff

Obaga accused the Uhuru Kenyatta–led party of undermining previous by-elections, citing Narok North, where he claimed that despite the DCP candidate being a frontrunner, Jubilee still fielded its own candidate.

He further stated that the then Jubilee secretary general, Jeremiah Kioni, actively campaigned against DCP interests. He maintained that the party will not repeat what it considers past mistakes in Isiolo and Narok, insisting that DCP is not a junior partner in the alliance.

This comes ahead of DCP party primaries, where nine aspirants from Ol Kalou have expressed interest in securing the party ticket.

According to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the nominations will be conducted through a free and fair process to determine the party’s flagbearer.