The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that a by-election for the Olkalou Constituency Member of the National Assembly seat in Nyandarua County will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

In a notice issued to the public on Sunday, April 26, 2026, the electoral body confirmed that preparations are underway to ensure a smooth and credible exercise, with voters expected to head to the polls to elect their new representative in the National Assembly.

“Notice of By-Election. By-Election for Member of National Assembly for Olkalou Constituency in Nyandarua County will be held on Thursday, 16th July, 2026,” IEBC stated.

The by-election comes following the death of Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, who was a member of Jubilee. He died on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Jubilee Party demands for the seat

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.

“In the spirit of building a credible, united, and formidable alternative government and in response to the growing call by Kenyans for opposition unity, Jubilee Party respectfully urges our coalition partners to support the fielding of a single opposition candidate under the Jubilee Party banner in the upcoming by-election,” the Jubilee statement read in part.

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 candidates

Despite this push by the party, 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.

He noted 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.”

The Democratic for the Citizens Party (DCP) has also announced that it will have a candidate in the forthcoming by-election in the Ol Kalou Constituency. He revealed that the party already had nine aspirants vying for the ticket.