By Tobby Kalume | July 17, 2026
Nyandarua Senator John Methu has praised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for conducting what he described as a credible, transparent and verifiable election following the Democracy for the Citizens Party’s (DCP) decisive victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Speaking after the declaration of results, Methu, who serves as the acting Secretary-General of the DCP, said the electoral agency had delivered a process that accurately reflected the will of the people despite heightened political tensions during the poll.
The by-election was won by DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau, popularly known as Ngotho, who garnered 35,440 votes to defeat United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who received 5,450 votes.
Muchina conceded defeat before the official declaration of the final results, acknowledging his opponent’s victory.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of former Member of Parliament David Kiaraho, with the contest widely viewed as a major political test in the Mount Kenya region between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the DCP led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Methu congratulated the IEBC for overseeing what he termed a free and fair election, saying the commission had demonstrated professionalism in vote counting, tallying and verification.
However, the senator reiterated concerns raised by his party during polling day over the deployment of heavily armed and hooded security officers at some polling stations.
He had earlier called on security agencies to ensure all officers deployed during elections remain clearly identifiable, arguing that transparency in security operations is essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
Despite those concerns, Methu said the final outcome reflected the genuine choice of the electorate and commended voters for turning out peacefully to exercise their democratic right.
According to the IEBC, the by-election recorded a voter turnout of 57 per cent, with the results reinforcing DCP’s growing political influence in the Mount Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
