How opposition is preparing for Ol Kalou by-election even before late MP is buried
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 5, 2026Even before the late Olkalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, who died after a long battle with illness, is laid to rest, the seat has been declared vacant by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazetting the area for by-election talks, mini-polls have already begun. The opposition has started daring their opponents, promising them tough times ahead in the mini-polls.
The first leader to speak on the upcoming Olkalou by-election, which will be a rematch between the United Opposition and Kenya Kwanza, especially after their losses in the Mbeere North and Malava constituencies in 2025 and 2026, was Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa.
He stated that they will approach the Olkalou mini-poll as a united force. Wamalwa explained that just as they did in the Mbeere North and Malava by-elections, where parties within the United Opposition that were perceived to have higher dominance in the respective areas were left to field candidates while the other outfits ceded ground and supported the chosen candidate, the same approach will be applied in Olkalou.
He recalled that in Mbeere North, when the Rigathi Gachagua-led DCP party ceded ground for Justin Muturi’s DP candidate, Newton Karish, and in Malava, where Gachagua also accepted to withdraw his candidate and unconditionally supported Eugene Wamalwa’s candidate, similar cooperation will guide the Olkalou by-election.
“For the old Kalou by-election, we are working together. You do recall we had 3 by-elections, and in Malava, DCP stood down for DAP-K,” Wamalwa said.
Caroli dares Ruto
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, who doubles as the Azimio la Umoja secretary-general, expressed confidence in the United Opposition, saying they will carry the day and must win.
He dismissed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) win in 2025, citing numerous electoral irregularities, which, according to him, were orchestrated by the state and benefited their candidates, who won by a razor-thin margin. He insisted that the same would not happen in Olkalou.
“There were issues with 3 polling stations in Mbeere North; there were also serious flaws in Malava, but let’s meet them in Ol Kalou. We are waiting for Ol Kalou.” Karoli Omondi said
Gachagua’s dominance
The Olkalou by-election will be a litmus test to determine if Gachagua has indeed established control over the Mountain and if his DCP party is the dominant party in the Mount Kenya region.
After the United Opposition’s loss in Mbeere North, he defended himself, stating that it was not his party that had fielded a candidate in the area despite his strong presence in the constituency during the tail end of the campaigns.
The Olkalou by-election will now be critical for him to field a candidate and face off against the UDA party to prove that he is indeed the kingpin of the Mount Kenya region, signalling that the mountain may have become slippery for President William Ruto.
Funeral itinerary for Olkalou MP
The late Olkalou MP will be buried in Tigoni, Limuru constituency, away from his jurisdiction.
The choice of burial site aligns with his last wish, as, according to the family, he loved Tigoni and often retreated there after busy days in his constituency.