We have faith in you, Gachagua tells Sammy Ngotho ahead of Ol Kalou by-election

DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua and the deputy party leader present the party ticket to Sammy Kamau, who won DCP party nomination on May 12, 2026/ HANDOUT

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has unveiled Sammy Kamau Ngotho as the party’s parliamentary flag bearer for the forthcoming Ol Kalou by-election, expressing confidence that the party will secure victory in the July 16, 2026, poll.

In a statement issued on Tuesday after handing over the party certificate, Gachagua congratulated Ngotho for winning the party primaries and urged him to remain closely engaged with constituents.

“Congratulations, Sammy Kamau Ngotho, for winning the DCP PARTY nominations and securing the position to be the party's parliamentary flag bearer in the forthcoming by-elections,” Gachagua said.

“Our party, DCP, has faith in you and the people of Ol Kalou that we shall get a win in the July 16, 2026, by-elections.”

Gachagua said the newly unveiled candidate must prioritise grassroots engagement and leadership guided by the wishes of residents.

“As we hand you the party certificate today, engage the people of Ol Kalou and listen to them on how they wish to be led. This is as articulated in our party philosophy,” he said.

He also praised voters in Ol Kalou for participating in the party’s nomination exercise.

“I salute the people of Ol Kalou for coming out to vote during the party primaries and choosing the leader they want to carry the flag of their party,” Gachagua said.

Ngotho emerged winner of the DCP nominations held on May 9, following a multi-day exercise that party officials described as a test of its preparedness to conduct transparent and credible internal elections.

On May 8, DCP officials oversaw the arrival and verification of ballot papers and ballot boxes ahead of the primaries, saying the process was aimed at ensuring accountability and integrity.

“The exercise marks a key milestone in the party’s preparedness to conduct a credible, transparent and orderly nomination process,” DCP said at the time.

During the voting exercise, party updates indicated that ballot materials were dispatched to polling stations across Ol Kalou Constituency, with tallying beginning immediately after polls closed.

“Ballot papers from various polling stations in the Ol Kalou DCP Party primaries have started streaming into the party tallying centre as the vote verification and counting process gets underway,” the party said.

On May 10, DCP declared Kamau the winner of the parliamentary aspirant primaries.

The Ol Kalou by-election is expected to be closely watched as Gachagua seeks to strengthen DCP’s political influence through the constituency contest.

Gachagua has recently intensified grassroots mobilisation through the party, positioning DCP as a growing political force ahead of future national contests.