Methu congratulates DCP’s Kamau, commends IEBC for Ol Kalou by-election
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, July 17, 2026Nyandarua Senator John Methu has congratulated Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau following his victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, while commending the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for what he described as a credible and well-managed electoral process.
Speaking after the results were declared on Friday, July 17, 2026, Methu said the outcome reflected the will of the people and praised IEBC officials for conducting a transparent election.
“Please allow me to take this very, very early opportunity to congratulate you, Sammy, our new Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou. I have called you Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou in faith, and it has now come to pass,” Methu said.
The senator said his party was satisfied with the manner in which the electoral commission handled the by-election, citing the responsiveness of election officials throughout the voting and tallying process.
“On behalf of our party, we are very satisfied with the services that we got from IEBC. We are very, very satisfied. I feel that you gave us a very credible, believable, verifiable, and accurate election. Every time our chief agent or we or our agents were reaching out to you or your officers, the responses were very swift and very quick. So we are very happy, and we are very satisfied,” he said.
Methu raises security concerns poll
Despite praising the electoral process, the Nyandarua senator expressed concern over incidents of violence that marred the by-election, warning that such occurrences should not become a feature of Kenya’s elections.
“We cannot normalise this kind of violence during elections. If this kind of violence is happening just after the election, I wonder what will happen in 2027,” he said.
Methu claimed armed individuals intimidated voters during the exercise, arguing that the incidents suppressed voter turnout.
“We actually feel that this vote would have gone to 60,000 or even 70,000. We feel that there was serious voter suppression when those people were just shooting everywhere. Everybody is worried about their safety,” he said.
The senator also disclosed that he had received reports of a fatality linked to the violence.
“Nobody should lose their life because we have an election. We can compete on ideas,” he added.
Methu raises concerns over electoral malpractices
Methu reiterated concerns he had raised throughout the by-election period over alleged electoral malpractices and attempts to suppress voter turnout through violence and the use of hired goons.
He maintained that residents of Ol Kalou remained peaceful throughout the campaign, insisting the violence witnessed was not between supporters of the rival candidates.
“You have never had DCP supporters fight with UDA supporters here in Ol Kalou. The only goons were being brought from outside the county to beat people from both parties,” he said.
He also questioned what he termed the selective distribution of government assistance programmes in Ol Kalou during the campaign period, arguing that such initiatives amounted to voter inducement.
“Why is it happening only in Ol Kalou? Are we sure these government programmes will continue after this by-election? I feel that forms part of voter bribery,” Methu said.
The senator has further accused state officers of actively campaigning despite legal restrictions, saying some had openly endorsed candidates during the by-election.
Kamau wins
The outspoken first-time senator has said the outcome demonstrated that voters had made their choice despite the challenges witnessed during the campaign and on polling day, maintaining that attempts to influence or intimidate voters could not overturn the will of the electorate.