Huge Voter Turnout Grips Ol Kalou as UDA, DCP Battle for Crucial Seat

Voters in Olkalou turned out in large numbers on Thursday morning as polling stations opened for the much-anticipated parliamentary by-election, with long queues witnessed across the constituency in what has emerged as a closely watched political contest between UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah and DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho.

The mini-poll, being held to fill the vacancy left by the death of former MP David Kiaraho, has attracted significant national attention as both camps seek to demonstrate their political strength. 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) opened all 144 polling stations on schedule to serve 73,480 registered voters spread across the constituency’s five wards. From the early hours of the morning, residents queued patiently in the chilly weather, with election officials reporting a smooth start to the voting exercise as security personnel maintained order at polling centres. 

The by-election has largely been viewed as a political showdown between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), with the outcome expected to shape political dynamics in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Throughout the morning, polling stations recorded steady streams of voters, with elderly residents, women and young people arriving early to cast their ballots.

“My good people of Olkalou, the land of the late JM Kariuki, that gallant fighter who fought for the downtrodden, cast your eyes early this morning to the Aberdares Forest, where Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi led the armed struggle against the British colonialists who had taken our land and our freedom.

As the descendants and remnants of the Mau Mau fighters, restore the dignity of our people.

Continue flowing to the polling stations as you have done early this morning and affirm our dignity and pride.

We are priceless and will never sell our birthright to anyone, no matter the price. You have withstood intimidation and remain fearless. I am extremely proud to be your leader.”

Gachagua further appealed to different groups within the community to participate peacefully in the electoral process while commending the high turnout witnessed since dawn.

“To our young men, thank you for waking up early to protect and escort your parents and your parents’ age mates to go and vote.

That is your cardinal duty in our society, and I am very proud of you.

To our mothers, I have no words to express my joy that you have guided us well so that we shall never betray our people.”

He also urged those yet to vote to do so before the self-imposed deadline he had earlier communicated to his supporters.

“For those still at home, please hurry up and cast your vote, the very vote that we are waiting for to restore our dignity as a people.

As I guided in my address to the people of Olkalou through Inooro TV, all those who believe in our cause must have voted by 11 a.m. As our mothers and the elderly go back home to wait for the declaration of victory, the young and strong will remain behind, vigilant and alert, to make sure the will of the people is safeguarded.”

The former Deputy President concluded his message by expressing optimism that the day’s vote would restore the dignity of the people while extending greetings from supporters across several counties.

“As I pray facing Mt. Kenya this morning, I am very excited that the dignity of my people will be restored before the sun sets.

Greetings and best wishes to the people of Olkalou from Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Embu, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Laikipia, Nakuru, Mpeketoni, Loitoktok, Kibiku, Londiani, Narok, Burnt Forest, Kitale, and the city of Nairobi.

They have asked me to inform you that they trust you will restore their pride and dignity as a people. They are, so far, very encouraged by the long queues and the very high voter turnout.

I love you, Olkalou, and I am sure I will love you even more before we go to bed tonight.

God bless Olkalou.”

The constituency comprises five wards namely Ol Kalou Ward, Kaimbaga Ward, Rurii Ward, Githioro Ward and Karau Ward, all of which opened polling stations on time and reported brisk voter turnout from the early morning hours. Election officials indicated that queues were visible in all the wards as residents sought to cast their ballots before midday.

Ward breakdown

• Ol Kalou Ward – High turnout reported with long queues at several polling centres.

• Kaimbaga Ward – Strong early voter turnout as residents arrived before polling stations opened.

• Rurii Ward – Steady flow of voters throughout the morning.

• Githioro Ward – Heavy turnout witnessed across polling centres.

• Karau Ward – Large numbers of voters turned up early, with orderly queues maintained by election officials.

The IEBC reminded voters to follow the established voting procedure, beginning with presenting a national identity card or valid passport before verification through the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS).

After successful identification, voters receive a stamped ballot paper, proceed to the voting booth to mark their choice in secret, cast the ballot in the designated box, have a finger marked with indelible ink and finally exit the polling station.

Although nine candidates are contesting the parliamentary seat, political observers have narrowed the race to Samuel Muchina Nyagah (UDA) and Sammy Kamau Ngotho (DCP), making the contest one of the most closely monitored by-elections in recent years.