There has been a significant increase in business activities in Ol Kalou as the government implements billions of shillings of development projects ahead of the impending by-election for the constituency, while residents also gain thousands of shillings in a day from various other activities related to the campaign.

There have been people who have profited from the number of government officials and politicians who have settled in the Nyandarua constituency during the last legs of the campaigns, including the hotels, restaurants, transport operators, food vendors and casual labourers.

More than Ksh1,000 per day

Residents report that normal economic work has been put on hold as they prefer to take part in political meetings and mobilisation; in some cases, they report earning over Ksh1,000 per day. This has created greater cash flow and, in turn, has helped to enhance local businesses, with traders stating that sales have increased more than normal.

The spurt in activity is a result of several cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and other high-ranking government officials launching development projects and advocating for the Kenya Kwanza candidate while the government pledges multi-billion-shilling investments in road, water and electricity projects.

MP Gikaria justifies cash handout

The distribution of cash is meant to help those who need it, not determine the outcome of the by-election, Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria has said in the open.

“Nyinyi vijana labda hamjawai piga kura, but who kupiga kura in 2022? Kuna kitambulisho inaitishwa? Kama ID haitishwi, unatumia kidole. Hutaitishwa ID na hata hutaitishwa kadi ya kura,” Gikaria said

The MP says the information on the ID is only being taken to make sure the money being disbursed in the various villages is accounted for.

At the unexpected turnout of people at the meetings, Gikaria noted that the fund being dished out was more than what was initially planned.

“Jana tulikuwa hapa, tukaskizana. Kuna mtu yeyote alifukuzwa? Lakini mimi nilikuwa na Ksh250,000 ya mikutano ya jana. Watu wakajaa. I had to go home and get another Ksh800,000. Jana pekee yake hapa kwenu, nilitumia Ksh1.2 million,” he stated.

The Ol Kalou by-election, which has been marked by unprecedented government involvement and intense competition, has come at a time of increased political activity in the area. The Kenya Kwanza side has always denied the allegation that the government is trying to influence voters through development projects or financial incentives.

Local economy booms, unprecedentedly.

Despite this, the boost to spending has helped to change the economic landscape, with the accommodation facilities already at full capacity and public transport seeing greater demand, as small businesses are reporting record sales with thousands of people flocking to the constituency ahead of the polling day.

As campaigns get to the end, Olkalou residents will decide whether the hustle and bustle of development and campaign funds will be sufficient to win them over or if they will simply vote according to other political motives.