DCP Candidate Samuel Kamau Ngotho Wins Ol Kalou Parliamentary By-Election
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Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru Ngotho has emerged victorious in the closely watched Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
IEBC Returning Officer Antony Njiraine declared Sammy duly elected Member of the National Assembly for Ol Kalou Constituency after garnering 35,440 votes in the by-election held on 16th July 2026.
Samuel Muchina Nyagah of President William Ruto’s UDA Party finished second with 5,450 votes.
A total of 41,656 out of 73,480 registered voters cast their ballots, translating to a voter turnout of 57%.
Results by Candidate:
- Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru (DCP) – 35,440
- Samuel Muchina Nyagah (UDA) – 5,450
- Wilson Mwaniki Kigwa (Jubilee) – 198
- Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka (NLP) – 103
- Timothy Kamau Kariuki (PM) – 51
- Edwin Kariiri Muchiri (PNU) – 28
- Abdifatah Hussein Abdullahi (FPK) – 19
- Edward Mathenge Mwaniki (KMM) – 16
- Rachael Wangui Njoroge (PDP) – 11
“IEBC thanks the voters of Ol Kalou Constituency, candidates, political parties, election officials, security agencies, observers, the media, and all stakeholders for contributing to a peaceful and orderly electoral process,” IEBC said.
The Ol Kalou by-election attracted nationwide attention as a political showdown between President William Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for Citizens Party, associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The contest acted as a key indicator of DCP’s growing influence in the Mt Kenya region.
Ngotho’s victory follows months of intense campaigns characterised by heightened political activity, heavy deployment of senior political leaders, and allegations of voter inducement that dominated the final days before polling.
Political Leaders React to Ngotho’s Victory
Samuel Kamau Ngotho’s victory immediately drew reactions from leaders across the political divide, with both allies and members of the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition acknowledging the outcome of the viciously contested by-election.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki appeared to strike a political tone in a brief message posted after the results.
“Mbeere North: 1. Ol Kalou: 1. Final Match 10 Aug’ 2027,” Kindiki wrote.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi also congratulated the DCP candidate while urging leaders to respect the will of the electorate.
“I want to congratulate Hon. Sammy Kamau Waweru for winning the Ol Kalou by-election. Thumbs up also to Samuel Muchinah Nyagah for a well-fought race. I was on the ground, and I respect the decision made by the people of Ol Kalou,” Sudi said.
“This administration of President William Ruto was formed by the people of Murima, and they are still part of this Government. Now, my people, let us move forward,” Sudi added.
Bribery Claims Cloud Ol Kalou Poll
The election was overshadowed by widespread allegations of voter bribery, with human rights organisations, election observers, and political actors calling for investigations into alleged electoral offences.
Amnesty International Kenya alleged that residents were reportedly being induced with cash handouts, LPG cooking gas cylinders, mattresses, and foodstuffs to influence voting in favour of candidates linked to the ruling establishment.
Also Read: IEBC Updates Ol Kalou Vote Count, Explains How to Track Results Live
The organisation urged the IEBC, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable under the Election Offences Act.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) also raised concerns over alleged voter bribery, intimidation, misuse of public resources, and election-related violence ahead of the vote, warning that such practices threatened the credibility of the electoral process.
Who Is Samuel Kamau Ngotho?
Samuel Kamau Ngotho, who goes by the nickname Sammy, has been one of the most recognised political personalities in Nyandarua County after he emerged as the parliamentary candidate for DCP and also the winner of the Ol Kalou by-election.
A resident of Ol Kalou Constituency and an agricultural economist by profession, Ngotho began his political career in 2013 when he was elected the first Member of County Assembly for Karau Ward after the introduction of devolved government.
He unsuccessfully defended the seat as an independent candidate in 2017 before shifting his focus to parliamentary politics.
In the 2022 General Election, he contested the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat on a UDA ticket but lost to the late David Njuguna Kiaraho after garnering about 19,380 votes.
Following the election, Ngotho served as Protocol Officer and Political Adviser in the Office of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua before joining DCP after Gachagua’s impeachment.
He later became one of the party’s key grassroots organisers in Nyandarua County, serving as the county coordinator and spearheading mobilisation efforts ahead of the by-election.
Ngotho secured the DCP ticket after defeating eight other aspirants in party nominations, polling 12,957 votes against his closest challenger, Paul Waiganjo, who garnered 4,978 votes.
Also Read: Alleged Mobile Money Payments Rock Ol Kalou By-Election as Justin Muturi Calls for Probe
High-Stakes Political Contest
The by-election was occasioned by the death of Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, prompting IEBC to schedule the poll for July 16 and clear nine candidates to contest the seat.
Throughout the campaign, Ngotho enjoyed backing from senior DCP leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, and party Secretary General John Methu, who repeatedly described the contest as a defining political battle for the Mt Kenya region
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A photo collage of DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua and voters queuing to cast their ballots in the Ol Kalou by-election. PHOTO/ Gachagua X.
