Ol Kalou campaigns end: UDA and DCP make final push in by-election seen as 2027 litmus test
By Sharon Atieno, July 13, 2026Campaigns for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election have officially come to an end this evening, Monday, July 13, 2026, ushering in the mandatory 48-hour campaign silence period required under the electoral law before voters head to the ballot on Thursday, July 16.
With the campaign window closing, the contest has evolved beyond a race to replace the late MP David Kiaraho. Political observers now view the by-election as one of the first major electoral tests that could shape alliances and influence the battle for Mt Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.
UDA, DCP battle for Mt Kenya influence
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) have dominated the campaigns, turning Ol Kalou into a symbolic contest for political influence in a region that has traditionally backed UDA.
While UDA is seeking to claim the seat, DCP has portrayed the by-election as an opportunity to demonstrate its growing grassroots support in Mt Kenya.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) requires all candidates and political parties to cease campaigns 48 hours before polling day, paving the way for a cooling-off period intended to allow voters to make independent decisions free from political influence.
Gachagua throws weight behind DCP
The significance attached to the contest has been evident in the calibre of leaders campaigning in the constituency. Earlier this month, Gachagua hosted Kiama Kia Ma elders and DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho at his Wamunyoro residence, where he described the elders as custodians of wisdom whose guidance would help shape the country’s political future.
“Through their counsel, I have been directed on the way forward in our journey to liberate our country, including the formation of the 6th administration,” Gachagua said after the meeting.
The former Deputy President has repeatedly framed the Ol Kalou contest as part of a broader political realignment ahead of 2027.
Security concerns dominate final days
The final days of campaigning have also been overshadowed by security concerns. The Linda Mwananchi movement altered parts of its campaign programme after raising concerns over violence, while the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) documented allegations of killings, gunshots, intimidation and voter bribery during the campaign period.
On Monday, July 13, 2026, DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho concluded his campaigns with a message of confidence.
“The great people of Ol Kalou have made up their minds about the kind of leadership they want beginning on July 16. No amount of intimidation or tokenism will shake their resolve to secure a better tomorrow,” Ngotho said.
With campaigns now ending, the focus shifts to the IEBC’s enforcement of the campaign silence period, security preparedness and whether voter turnout will match the intense political interest that has made the Ol Kalou by-election one of Kenya’s most closely watched electoral contests ahead of 2027.
IEBC issues voter advisory
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has urged voters to prepare for Thursday’s by-election by carrying their original national identity cards or valid Kenyan passports to their designated polling stations.
The commission said 73,480 registered voters will cast their ballots across 144 polling stations in the five wards of Rurii, Kanjuiri Ridge, Karau, Kaimbaga and Mirangine, with the constituency tallying centre set up at Ol Kalou Secondary School Hall.
IEBC also advised voters and other stakeholders to rely only on its official communication channels for election updates as attention shifts from campaigning to voting day preparations.