Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has acknowledged the need for the ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), to regroup after the party suffered a humiliating defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, despite an intensive campaign mounted by senior government leaders.

In a brief statement on his social media handles on Friday, July 17, 2026, Kindiki reacted after the by-election, held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, ended in a landslide victory for Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, who garnered 35,440 votes to defeat UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyaga, who received 5,450 votes. The outcome handed the opposition a commanding victory in one of the country’s most closely watched electoral contests.

“Back to the drawing board,” Kindiki noted.

Kindiki’s sentiments come hours after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau was declared the winner of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after securing a commanding 35,440 votes, defeating the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga, who garnered 5,450 votes.

Government’s intensive campaign falls short

The defeat came after weeks of vigorous campaigning by the Kenya Kwanza administration. President Ruto threw his weight behind the UDA campaign, represented by cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, Members of Parliament, governors, and other senior leaders who crisscrossed the constituency urging residents to elect the ruling party’s candidate.

During the campaign, government leaders pledged accelerated development, promising improved roads, expanded electricity connectivity, affordable housing projects, water programmes and economic empowerment initiatives. They argued that electing a UDA MP would strengthen Ol Kalou’s working relationship with the national government and unlock faster implementation of development projects.

Despite the high-profile campaign and deployment of top government officials, voters overwhelmingly backed the DCP candidate, delivering a decisive verdict that handed the opposition one of its biggest electoral victories in the Mt Kenya region.

Campaign marred by political tensions

The campaign period was marked by intense political rivalry, with both camps trading accusations of voter intimidation, misuse of state resources and voter bribery. Opposition leaders also protested the deployment of hooded security officers, demanding that all police officers assigned to polling stations be in identifiable uniforms.

DCP candidate Sammy Kamau and other opposition leaders repeatedly maintained they were confident of victory, insisting the election would reflect the will of the people despite the heavy presence of senior government officials in the constituency.

The campaign also saw DCP officials summoned by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over remarks made during the campaign period, further heightening political tensions ahead of polling day.

Kindiki calls for a political reset

Reacting to the outcome, Kindiki admitted the defeat was a setback for UDA and said it was a good time for the party to reengineer their game.

“A good time to reengineer the game altogether,” Kindiki said.

Defining test ahead of 2027

The Ol Kalou by-election attracted national attention from the outset, with both Kenya Kwanza and the opposition treating it as the first major political test in the Mt Kenya region since Gachagua’s fallout with the ruling coalition and the formation of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

The decisive outcome is expected to shape political strategies ahead of the 2027 general election, with the opposition viewing the victory as evidence of shifting political dynamics in the region, while UDA faces renewed pressure to reassess its campaign strategy and reconnect with voters.

Despite the heated campaigns, voting remained largely peaceful, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), party agents and security personnel overseeing the exercise before the results were announced on Friday morning.