Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia has claimed that voter anger witnessed during the recently concluded Ol Kalou by-election, where residents overwhelmingly rejected the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, was partly fuelled by what she described as the government’s continued attacks on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Monday, July 20, 2026, Muhia, who was part of the opposition team coordinating campaigns in the constituency, argued that leaders allied to the government had repeatedly targeted the two Mount Kenya political figures, a move she said had angered many residents of the region.

“But that said and done, we also have our sons and daughters. We have Kenyatta, our retired president, whom we honour. Though we differed in 2022, government insiders, the Murkomens, and others wake up every day saying, ‘Uhuru this, Uhuru that, Uhuru this, Uhuru that’,” she said.

“Having elected this government with nearly 47 percent of the vote, they then impeached the deputy president, and as if that is not enough, they wake up every day saying, ‘This man is tribal.’ So the people said, ‘Okay, he’s ours, and if you say we are tribal, then let us show you that we are tribal,’“ Muhia said.

Sustained criticism of Uhuru

According to the legislator, the sustained criticism of Uhuru Kenyatta and Rigathi Gachagua by leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration contributed to growing dissatisfaction among Mount Kenya voters, a sentiment she believes was reflected in the outcome of the Ol Kalou by-election.

Wanjiku Muhia has also likened the voter anger witnessed in the Ol Kalou by-election to the growing dissatisfaction being felt across the country, saying the constituency merely reflected the national mood.

Growing voter dissatisfaction

Muhia argued that the frustrations expressed by Ol Kalou voters are no different from those being experienced by Kenyans in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kitui, Nakuru and other parts of the country.

She said many families in rural areas depend on relatives working in major towns. Still, the current economic situation has made it difficult for them to send money home to cover basic needs, such as school fees and medical expenses.

“Ol Kalou is not separate from the rest of Kenya. The people there have relatives in Nairobi, Gikomba, and many other places. Whatever people in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kitui, or elsewhere are feeling is the same feeling that the people of Ol Kalou have,” she said.