Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has directed all officials and elected leaders affiliated with the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) to stay away from Ol Kalou Constituency as the party conducts its nominations for the upcoming parliamentary by-election.

In a statement issued on the night of Friday, May 8, 2026, ahead of the primaries, Gachagua said the move was aimed at ensuring voters are allowed to freely choose the party’s flagbearer without interference or intimidation.

“All party officials and elected leaders affiliated to the party have been directed to keep off the constituency and allow the people of Ol Kalou make their choice without influence or interference,” Gachagua stated.

The DCP leader said party members would begin voting from 6 am, with polling stations expected to remain open until 5 pm.

Assurances of free and fair process

He urged party supporters to turn up in large numbers and participate in what he described as a transparent and democratic nomination exercise.

Gachagua also assured aspirants and voters that all preparations for the exercise had been completed and that voting materials had already been dispatched to polling stations.

“I encourage @DCP_Democracy members to turn up early in large numbers and participate in the democratic process in nominating the party’s flag bearer. All preparations have been completed and every voter will have the opportunity to cast their vote through secret ballot,” he stated.

He added that all aspirants would have agents present during the exercise to witness the process and ensure transparency.

Tight security measures

According to Gachagua, sufficient security arrangements had been put in place to guarantee peaceful voting and counting.

The former Deputy President said vote counting would begin immediately after polling stations close, with presiding officers expected to announce results at the polling stations before forwarding them to the tallying centre.

“The Presiding Officers will announce the results at the polling station before proceeding to the tallying center. Sufficient security arrangements have been put in place to facilitate peaceful and orderly voting and counting,” Gachagua wrote on X.

The Ol Kalou by-election has attracted significant political attention, with parties viewing it as an important contest ahead of the 2027 General Election.

DCP’s participation in the race is also being closely watched as the party seeks to strengthen its political presence in the Mt Kenya region.

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has already officially unveiled Samuel Muchina Nyaga as its candidate for the upcoming contest.

In a statement shared on X on Saturday, May 9, 2026, UDA congratulated Muchina after he emerged victorious in a hotly contested party primary held on Friday, May 8.

According to results released by the party, Muchina secured 3,221 votes to clinch the nomination certificate after edging out his closest rival, George Wambugu Kanuri, who garnered 3,077 votes.

The closely fought contest attracted ten aspirants, highlighting the high political stakes surrounding the by-election in Ol Kalou Constituency.