Why landslide victory in Ol Kalou has crowned Gachagua Mt Kenya kingpin

DCP’s landslide victory in Thursday’s parliamentary by-election in Ol Kalou has all but crowned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as Mt Kenya’s new political kingpin.

DCP candidate Douglas Waweru garnered 35,440 votes, crushing UDA's Samuel Muchina, who managed 5,450 votes, according to official results released by the IEBC.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party, which has been fighting to control the region alongside Gachagua’s DCP, came a distant third with its candidate getting 198 votes.

The victory hands DCP its first parliamentary seat since its formation and strengthens Gachagua's claim that he remains the dominant political force in the vote-rich region ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Nyandarua on Friday, Gachagua declared the outcome is the beginning of a new political order. He announced the death of UDA and other ‘proxy’ parties in the region.

"DCP has now delivered its first MP in Ol Kalou, and DCP is today the party of choice in the mountain. For the avoidance of doubt, this by-election marks the death of UDA in this region," he said.

He argued that the result confirmed Mt Kenya had abandoned the ruling party despite months of aggressive campaigns by senior Kenya Kwanza leaders.

The Ol Kalou contest attracted national attention after both the government and opposition turned the constituency into a political battleground.

President Ruto's allies mounted an intensive campaign anchored on development projects.

Cabinet secretaries, Principal secretaries, governors and MPs criss-crossed the constituency urging residents to back the UDA candidate.

The campaigns were accompanied by the distribution of mattresses, water tanks, gas cylinders and boats, which government leaders described as part of ongoing development programmes.

Opposition leaders dismissed the move as an attempt to sway voters.

DCP, on the other hand, campaigned on the rising cost of living, economic hardship and dissatisfaction with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The overwhelming margin has emboldened Gachagua's allies, who now argue that the former deputy president has become the undisputed political kingpin in Central Kenya.

Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara said the result sent a strong message about the region's political direction.

"There are three things that Ol Kalou has done. You have told the world that Mt Kenya's party is DCP. You have buried a party that was born here called UDA.”

“You have also buried another confusing party called Jubilee. Above all, you have told the world that the leader of Mt Kenya is Rigathi Gachagua," she said.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu said the vote reflected the region's rejection of UDA.

"If you want to know, call another by-election and we will show you who we are. The people of Mt Kenya have spoken," he said.

Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who is a member of the Jubilee party, described the outcome as evidence of Gachagua's growing influence in the region.

"Ol Kalou has taught us that Rigathi Gachagua will be a problem to anyone who wants to run for office outside his camp. We must organise ourselves against him," Wambugu posted on X.

Political observers say the by-election is significant beyond the parliamentary seat and proves that Gachagua is the man to beat in the region.

“It is clear, whoever will not be with Gachagua or will not vie on the DCP ticket will be in trouble. In the coming days and months, we are likely to see defections to DCP,” political analyst Martin Andati said.

Political observer Mutahi Ngunyi advised the President to shift his political attention elsewhere, adding that the Mt Kenya region has shifted its allegiance.

"Dear Ruto. No point courting Kikuyus. You have tried. They have rejected you. Ol Kalau is the testament. Turn to the Luo Nation and Mulembe Nation. Ol Kalau is a pain point for you,” Ngunyi said.

The by-election also reignited the rivalry between Gachagua and President Ruto over who commands the region that overwhelmingly backed Kenya Kwanza in the 2022 general election.

Recently, Ruto dismissed claims that Gachagua single-handedly delivered Mt Kenya votes to his presidential bid.

"I came here and asked you to vote for me, and you did. Do you remember? You saw me looking for votes here, in your churches, and I asked you to pray for me, and you gave me your votes," Ruto said.

He added that it was misleading for any leader to claim personal ownership of the region's support.

"But I hear some people arrogantly saying that they are the ones who asked you to vote for me."

Gachagua responded by arguing that the Ol Kalou result proved the political tide had shifted and that his party is the one to beat in the next year's elections in the region.

"William Ruto came to power with 7.1 million votes. Mt Kenya is working hard to mobilise and deliver at least 7.1 million votes in 2027 on our own so that we can wash away the sins we imposed on the republic," he said.

The former deputy president also hinted at a broader political strategy aimed at weakening UDA across the region.

He claimed plans were underway to support the formation of additional parties to accommodate allies unable to win on a UDA ticket.

"We are aware of a small wheelbarrow party coming up in Murang'a. We will announce it when it is done. We also know there are plans to field small presidential candidates to divide Mt Kenya votes. We shall expose them when they emerge," he said.