The Linda Mwananchi movement has cancelled its planned tour in Ol Kalou and will now only tour Nyahururu on Sunday, July 12, following public objections by former deputy president and Democracy for the Citizens party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who insisted that the ongoing Ol Kalou by-election campaigns should be left to local leaders.

Confirming the change in the movement’s itinerary on his X handle on Friday, July 10, 2026, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata announced that the movement would only visit Nyahururu Town, effectively dropping Ol Kalou from its itinerary.

“Linda will only go to Nyahururu Town,” Kang’ata stated.

Linda Mwananchi revises programme

The initial Nyandarua/Laikipia Linda Mwananchi Tour itinerary had scheduled four stops:

• 10:00 am – Ngorika AIPCA
• 1:00 pm – Tumaini Shopping Centre
• 2:00 pm – Ol Kalou
• 5:00 pm – Nyahururu

However, the revised poster, rebranded as the Nyahururu Town Tour, removed both the Tumaini Shopping Centre and Ol Kalou stops. The updated programme now consists of only two engagements:

• 10:00 am – AIPCA Nyahururu Cathedral
• 1:00 pm – Nyahururu Town

Gachagua’s directives

The changes come just hours after Gachagua directed the Linda Mwananchi movement and Kang’ata to stay away from the Ol Kalou by-election campaigns, arguing that the contest is a local affair being spearheaded by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leaders in Nyandarua.

Speaking in a press release at the DCP headquarters in Nairobi on Friday, July 10, 2026, Gachagua said outsiders should not “parachute” into the constituency at the final stages of the campaign.

“I want to tell my brother Irungu Kang’ata I heard him saying that he wants to come with Linda Mwananchi to Ol Kalou. We don’t need you there for DCP, unless you are coming to campaign for another party.”

He argued that Kang’ata lacked familiarity with the constituency and its political dynamics.

“Irungu Kang’ata has never been Ol Kalou. He does not understand Ol Kalou. He doesn’t understand the issues. He doesn’t understand the narrative. He cannot come and bring Linda Mwananchi to campaign on the last day without knowing what the issues are and how the campaign is being done.”

The remarks underscored growing efforts by the DCP leadership to keep the campaigns centred on local leaders as the constituency prepares for the July 16 by-election.

Kang’ata’s announcement that the team will now only tour Nyahururu mirrors Gachagua’s earlier directive, marking a notable shift from the movement’s original plans just a day before the scheduled visit, signalling the spirit of a united opposition to agree on matters.