ODM party leader Oburu Odinga has urged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to tone down his rhetoric following the conclusion of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying the contest is over and it is time to maintain peace.

Speaking after the by-election, on July 17, 2026, Oburu said Gachagua appeared to remain combative despite his party’s victory.

“When you see Gachagua, he’s always in a fighting mood. He has won an election, but appears he’s still annoyed… Election is over, so Gachagua keep your peace,” Oburu said.

His remarks came after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho won the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat.

Kamau was declared the winner after defeating United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga in the by-election triggered by the death of former MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.

The contest attracted national attention, with senior political leaders from both DCP and UDA actively campaigning for their candidates.

Gachagua links victory to national politics

Following the declaration of results, Gachagua described the outcome as a reflection of public sentiment ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Addressing supporters in Nyahururu, he said the Ol Kalou vote reflected views he had encountered across the country.

“From what I have heard, I would like to contextualise what happened in Ol Kalou in the greater conversation of the Republic of Kenya. All over this country, people have told us they are done with William Ruto. It is finished; it is over, Mr President,” Gachagua said.

He also said the Mt Kenya region, which backed President William Ruto in the 2022 General Election, was preparing to mobilise support ahead of the next polls.

Gachagua further said while he believed President Ruto could be defeated through the ballot, some Kenyans had expressed concerns about the conduct of the 2027 election.

Raises concerns over post-election security

During the same briefing, Gachagua criticised the conduct of security officers following the by-election.

He identified a man he said was James Muigai, claiming he died after being shot during post-election confrontations.

“William Ruto managed to kill one. James Muigai was shot and killed by policemen sent by William Ruto. Twenty people are in hospital with gunshot wounds and head injuries after being attacked by the killer squad sent by William Ruto,” Gachagua said.

He called for investigations into the conduct of the security officers and announced plans to mobilise young people to safeguard communities, leaders, businesses, churches and public gatherings.

“We are going to mobilise our young people to protect the community… Goonism will not be allowed in the mountains again,” he said.

Oburu’s appeal for calm comes as political leaders continue to react to the outcome of the Ol Kalou by-election, with both government and opposition figures offering differing interpretations of its significance ahead of the 2027 General Election.

While some leaders have described the result as a constituency-specific outcome, others have linked it to the evolving political landscape as parties begin positioning themselves for the next national polls.