Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has described the Mt Kenya community as the most politically aware in the country following the outcome of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Friday, July 17, 2026, after the declaration of the by-election results, the outspoken United Patriotic Movement (UPM) party leader praised the electorate in the region for what he termed as their high level of political awareness.

Khalwale’s remarks came after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate, Sammy Kamau Waweru, defeated UDA’s Samuel Muchina in the closely contested Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, dealing a major political setback to the ruling party.

“There is no community in Kenya more politically aware than my Murima cousins,” Khalwale wrote.

Leaders back DCP candidate

Several leaders have also praised the people of Ol Kalou for electing the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate despite the intense campaigns mounted by the government, which deployed significant state resources in an effort to popularise its candidate, Samuel Muchina.

During the campaign period, the government intensified development activities in the constituency, including the donation of speedboats to local residents and the reopening of the Nairobi–Nyahururu railway line, moves that were widely viewed as efforts to boost UDA’s chances in the by-election.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was among the leaders who congratulated the electorate, saying they had demonstrated courage by voting for the opposition candidate despite what he described as intimidation, bribery and the use of state machinery during the campaigns.

“Hats off to the people of Ol Kalou. Everything was thrown at you—bribery, violence, intimidation and state power—but you stood firm,” Sifuna said, adding that the overwhelming victory for the DCP candidate reflected the electorate’s determination to make an independent political decision.

Orengo’s remarks

Siaya Governor James Orengo, on his side, has said the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election is a strong indication of changing political fortunes ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement on his X account on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Orengo described the outcome as a triumph for ordinary Kenyans, saying the electorate had sent a powerful political message to President William Ruto’s administration.

“DCP’s Sammy Douglas Waweru’s decisive win in Ol Kalou represents a triumph for ordinary citizens. It is a clear signal that the ground has shifted, and President Ruto should prepare for a single term,” Orengo said.

Orengo said the outcome demonstrated that ordinary citizens were determined to chart a new political direction ahead of the 2027 general election.

Orengo urged opposition supporters across the country to unite, saying the coalition’s success would depend on bringing together communities from different regions.

“Tunampatia kongole Bwana Gachagua kwa kuwa kwa mstari wa mbele ya kupigana na Kasongo,” he said, before leading supporters in chants of, “Kasongo apigwe ama asipigwe?”

“Sasa watu wa Kisumu washikane na watu wa Nyeri. Hiyo inawezekana?… Tutafanya kazi pamoja ndio tuendelee mbele,” he said.