United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar has defended the government’s political investment in the Mt Kenya region after the party suffered a major defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru won by nearly 30,000 votes.

The Ol Kalou by-election result has intensified debate over the future of Mt Kenya politics ahead of the 2027 General Election, with UDA leaders from the region hinting at a major political decision involving governors, senators, Members of Parliament and Members of County Assemblies.

In a press briefing on Friday, July 17, 2026, Omar said UDA’s investment in Mt Kenya was based on the region’s strong support for President William Ruto during the 2022 presidential election and the party’s commitment to an inclusive government.

“UDA invested heavily because an election is a heavy investment. UDA invested heavily because we wanted to demonstrate that we do not exclude anyone,” Omar said.

He added that the region played a significant role in President Ruto’s rise to power and that the government had responded through increased representation in senior state positions.

“UDA invested heavily because the president acknowledges Mt Kenya. West and East supported him immensely in his bid for presidency,” Omar said.

According to Omar, the Kenya Kwanza administration has appointed many leaders from the Mt Kenya region to key government positions, including Cabinet, Principal Secretary roles, state corporations and parastatal leadership.

“In reciprocity, the president has assigned over 10 Cabinet Secretaries to the region. The bulk of the Permanent Secretaries in this government are from the region called Mt Kenya. About 17 or 18 of the 51 are from Mt Kenya. The bulk of chairs of state corporations are from Mt Kenya. The bulk of CEOs in this government are from Mt Kenya,” he said.

His remarks just a day after UDA suffered a significant setback in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru defeated UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah.

Waweru secured 35,440 votes against Nyagah’s 5,450 votes, giving DCP its first parliamentary seat and strengthening former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s influence in the Mt Kenya political landscape.

The result has sparked renewed discussions on whether political alliances in the region are shifting ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

Mt Kenya leaders hint at major political decision

Following the Ol Kalou defeat, UDA leaders from Mt Kenya said they were consulting before making a major political announcement, even as Gachagua buckles up against Mt Kenya President Ruto’s allies urging the electorate to vote them out in 2027.

Speaking during a press conference in Nakuru alongside Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi said elected leaders from the region were considering their next move.

“With my colleagues who are here and others who are not here, governors, senators, Members of Parliament and Members of County Assemblies from this region, we are going to make a major political decision,” Wamumbi said.

He did not disclose details of the planned decision or provide a timeline for the announcement.

The development has fuelled speculation over the region’s political direction after Gachagua-backed forces made significant gains in the Ol Kalou contest.

Despite the political setback, Omar insisted that the government would continue pursuing an inclusive approach and would not marginalise any region based on political choices.

He said political alliances naturally influence government structures but maintained that national development would not be limited to supporters of one party.

“The president has a mandate and a responsibility to reciprocate those who showed him favour,” Omar said.

“However, if by the time we get to 2027 they decide to move out of the coalition, which will be unfortunate, the architecture of the government will then change fundamentally based on the broad-based partnership. That is the nature of politics.”

Omar said the government’s commitment to serving all Kenyans would remain unchanged.

“No part of this country will be left out. Even as we win the next election, no part will ever be left out,” he said.

“We do not say that we are competing for power to oppress anyone or to take away from anyone or to put any part of this country second fiddle. This government has decided that its policy is inclusivity. It shall move on with inclusivity.”

The Ol Kalou by-election has emerged as an important indicator of changing political dynamics in Mt Kenya, a region expected to play a decisive role in Kenya’s 2027 General Election.