Nyandarua Senator and Democracy for the Citizen’s Party (DCP) Secretary General designate John Methu has said that residents of Ol Kalou have resisted attempts by the government to influence the ongoing parliamentary by-election through financial incentives, insisting that voters have remained firm in their political convictions.

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Sunday, June 21, 2026, the senator praised the electorate for what he described as their resilience despite intense efforts by the ruling administration to sway voters.

“The people of Ol Kalou have proved resilient, and many of them are telling us that the government has pressed them hard with money, but they have sworn not to be swayed,” Methu said.

Use of Government machinery in campaigns

The lawmaker has alleged that the government had invested significant resources and energy in the constituency in a bid to secure victory for its preferred candidate, but maintained that residents had remained steadfast.

“The government is using a lot of energy in Ol Kalou. If you see me not inviting Rigathi Gachagua into these campaigns, it is because I am confident that our campaigns are progressing well and that the public has accepted that William Ruto is a one-term President,” he stated.

The senator further argued that residents should not be intimidated into supporting the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party based on development promises.

According to Methu, the people of Ol Kalou have a constitutional right to government services and development projects regardless of the political party they elect to represent them in Parliament.

“The people of Ol Kalou have stood firm even with all the monies from the government,” he said.

The first-time senator has dismissed claims that electing an opposition MP would deny the constituency access to development, noting that the area overwhelmingly supported President William Ruto in the 2022 General Election. He said that the budget for the next financial year is already set, and therefore, the outcome of the mini-poll has no influence on development in the region.

“The people of Ol Kalou must not elect a UDA MP to have development in their constituency. They elected the president himself, and therefore they have a right to development,” Methu argued.

The remarks come as political competition intensifies in the constituency ahead of the by-election scheduled for July 16, with both government and opposition-allied leaders seeking to influence the outcome of the by-election, which is being closely watched as a test of political strength in the Mt Kenya region in a battle between the ruling party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) headed by the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.