Battle of bigwigs in Ol Kalou polls
Ol Kalou by-election has turned into an early referendum on shifting balance of power in Mt Kenya region...
✨ Key Highlights
The July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election is shaping up as a major political battleground, testing the political strength of key figures ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- The contest is a proxy war between President William Ruto's UDA, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's DCP, and former President Uhuru Kenyatta's faction of the Jubilee Party.
- For President Ruto, a UDA victory would reaffirm his support in the Mt Kenya region, while defeat could signal a decline in his influence.
- The by-election is also a crucial test for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, assessing the strength of the political movement he has built since his impeachment.
- The outcome will offer insight into who commands political loyalty in Mt Kenya and determine the momentum for the 2027 presidential race.
Continue Reading
Read the complete article from Nation Politics
Part of the Day's Coverage
IEBC Warns Ol Kalou Poll Could Be Cancelled Over Alleged Election Malpractice - July 2026
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued a stern warning that the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election could be cancelled due to allegations of malpractice, including widespread bribery and breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly criticized the IEBC, accusing it of failing to uphold its constitutional duties and calling on the commission to intervene against alleged state officials' bribery and manipulation in the Ol Kalou by-election. The July 16 by-election is shaping up as a major political battleground testing the strength of key figures ahead of the 2027 General Election, with deep personal ties and past rivalries complicating the contenders' strategies. Additionally, the IEBC has warned that the election may be postponed due to escalating insecurity in the region.
