Ol Kalou by-election: Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi asks DCP to concede defeat
By David Nthua, July 16, 2026Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi has asked the Democracy for the Citizens Party to concede defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election as vote counting begins.
In a Facebook statement on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Wamumbi accused DCP leaders of mobilising groups to occupy polling centres and disrupt the counting of votes.
“Thank you, Ol Kalou people. The plan to disrupt counting by goons mobilised by Cleophas Malala, Senator Methu and Mejja Donk will be stopped by the people, for the people,” Wamumbi wrote.
He did not provide evidence linking the three leaders to groups at polling stations. People Daily Digital could not independently verify his remarks.
Wamumbi demands counting
Wamumbi challenged DCP to allow election officials to complete the counting process if the party believed its candidate had won.
“If you are sure you have won, let us count the votes,” he said.
He further stated that groups were occupying polling centres to interfere with the exercise.
“Currently, goons are occupying all polling centres to disrupt counting. Concede defeat,” Wamumbi wrote.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had not declared the winner when Wamumbi made the remarks.
DCP’s Sammy Kamau Ngotho and UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah are among nine candidates seeking the seat.
Rival accusations
Wamumbi’s statement came hours after DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua accused him of mobilising young people to storm polling stations in Ol Kalou.
Gachagua told Kameme FM that a group linked to Wamumbi was travelling to the constituency in a public service vehicle escorted by a private Subaru.
He later accused UDA-allied politicians and police officers in plain clothes of planning to disrupt voting and interfere with ballot boxes.
Gachagua did not provide evidence supporting the accusations. Wamumbi’s latest statement did not directly address the reported vehicle or the group mentioned by Gachagua.
Tensions rise
DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala had earlier urged supporters to regroup at polling centres and guard the party’s votes.
He expressed confidence that Ngotho had won but acknowledged that official tallying was still pending.
IEBC had reported a voter turnout of 38.2 per cent by 1:00 pm. The commission urged candidates, parties, agents and voters to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could undermine the secrecy or integrity of the vote.
DCP, Malala, Methu and Mejja Donk had not publicly responded to Wamumbi’s accusations by the time of publication.