As campaigns for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election draw to a close ahead of the 48-hour campaign blackout required by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), several leaders from different political parties have thrown their weight behind Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Waweru.

For much of the campaign period, the DCP campaign has been spearheaded by Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, and former Water Cabinet Secretary Cecily Kariuki, who have traversed the constituency mobilising support for the party’s candidate.

However, as the race enters its final stretch, more leaders from outside the party have joined the campaign trail in a bid to boost Waweru’s chances against the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina.

Peter Salasya

One of the most notable figures is Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, who, despite being a member of the Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K), has campaigned in Ol Kalou in support of the DCP candidate. Salasya’s involvement comes just days after he visited former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County before later appearing alongside Senator John Methu on the campaign trail.

The legislator has urged residents to vote for Waweru as the opposition’s preferred candidate against the UDA candidate, who has received strong backing from the government.

“Politics is local. Thanks, Kaba Methu, for making it look local and for people of Ol Kalou. Sitting down with electorates was something so unique, Salasya shared after arriving in Ol Kalou.

Newton Karish

Also joining the campaign is Newton Karish, the former Muminji Ward MCA and the Democratic Party (DP) candidate in the 2025 Mbeere North parliamentary by-election. Karish, who lost the contest to Leonard Wamuthende, was supporting the DCP candidate as a way of reciprocating the support Gachagua extended to him during his own campaign, when the former deputy president traversed the constituency seeking votes on his behalf.

Meanwhile, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, despite being an ODM member and an ally of the Linda Mwananchi movement as well as Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i, also endorsed the DCP candidate. Although he has not campaigned in the constituency, Onyonka used an address in Nyahururu to urge voters to back Waweru in the July 16 by-election.

Linda Mwananchi’s Ol Kalou visit

The Linda Mwananchi team had also planned to campaign in the constituency in support of the opposition candidate. However, Gachagua publicly warned them against entering the area, arguing that the by-election was a local political contest that should be handled by leaders already coordinating the campaigns on the ground.

The former deputy president questioned why the Linda Mwananchi team had remained silent throughout the campaign period only to attempt to join the race at the last minute. He further claimed that the group had not consulted John Methu, whom he described as the opposition’s chief coordinator for the Ol Kalou by-election campaign.

Despite playing a key role in the campaign strategy, Gachagua himself has not physically campaigned in the constituency, instead choosing to rally supporters through phone calls and messages.

With campaigning now coming to an end, all eyes will be on Thursday, July 16, 2026, when voters head to the polls to elect their new Member of Parliament.