President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is pulling all the stops in the Ol Kalou Constituency by-election, including deploying State machinery in a battle with his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
The by-election scheduled for July 16 has seen top government officials, including Cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries, launch projects perceived as designed to influence the poll in favour of Samuel Muchina of UDA.
The outcome of the by-election is consequential for both President Ruto and Mr Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) because of its potential of setting the tone for the 2027 polls as well as shaping popularity perception in the region.
UDA elections commissioner Jimmy Kahindi (left) presents a provisional certificate of nomination to Samuel Muchina Nyaga after he was declared the winner in the Ol Kalou UDA nominations on May 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
The poll also presents a second chance for a direct face-off between DCP and UDA, having faced off in Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election, in which UDA triumphed.
Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and his Tourism counterpart Rebecca Miano are some of the top government officials who have made trips to the constituency to launch projects as the by-election campaigns intensify.
Former CS Moses Kuria has also become a common figure in the launch of the projects. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, however, appears to be keeping a cautious distance from the frontline of the campaigns.
At the weekend, Ms Wahome led CS Miano, Mr Kuria, Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, Nyandarua Governor Moses Badilisha and Roads PS Joseph Mbua in opening Nyandarua lands office. The top government officials used the event to issue title deeds to locals, in a development CS Wahome described as ‘historic milestone’.
“We have issued 2,700 title deeds to beneficiaries from colonial villages, securing land ownership and unlocking opportunities for thousands of families,” she said.
“Out of more than 400,000 land records, 296,000 have now been transferred from Nyahururu to Ol Kalou, bringing services closer and making access faster and more efficient.”
CS Miano that for decades, securing a title deed or conducting a land search meant long, expensive journeys for Nyandarua residents to registries outside the county.
“That era of hustle ends. The opening of the new Lands Registry in Ol Kalou brings essential services right to the heart of the County,” said CS Miano.
“This registry will eliminate bureaucratic red tape, boosting investor confidence and accelerate the resolution of long-standing land disputes. Bringing the registry to Ol Kalou is an investment in the dignity, time, and economic freedom of our people,” she added.
But it was Mr Kuria’s remarks on why the project was being launched during the by-election campaigns that alluded the growing perception that the projects could be designed to influence the voters to back the UDA candidate.
Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria during the issuance of a nomination certificate to Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who won the party ticket for the Ol-Kalou Constituency by-election, at the party headquarters in Nairobi on May 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
“For over 60 years, the new wild West that is Nyandarua could not be gifted even with a lands registry. We still have people in 'colonial' villages who have no title deeds. Today we fix this eyesore of intra-Kikuyu historical injustice,” said Mr Kuria.
“We give Nyandarua both a lands registry and title deeds. Your question- Why are you doing this when there is a by election? My question- Why have we not done it in over 60 years including three Kikuyu Presidents?” he posed.
On June 2, Ms Miano was in the constituency to launch Ol Kalou railway station in yet another perceived attempt to woo the voters.
“After 46 years of silence, the historic Nairobi–Gilgil–Ol Kalou–Nyahururu railway line is officially back. This isn’t just restoring tracks but unlocking a major sustainable tourism corridor, lowering travel costs for Kenyans, and connecting you straight to the majestic Thomson’s Falls,” she said.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano during an interview at her office in Nairobi on June 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
But Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, an ally of Mr Gachagua, dismissed the political overtures by the ruling UDA. He said the locals will not be influenced by political baits.
“What development are you talking about? Mattress, blanket and Sh500? The people of the Mountain value dignity more than anything else,” said Mr Muriu.
He added, “Even if you build roads of gold, tap full of milk, and you have betrayed them, killed their children, stolen from them and ruined the future of their children, they will take money and goodies and vote their own candidate who represents their aspirations.”
A total of nine candidates by various political parties were cleared by the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to participate in the polls.
Besides Muchina of UDA and Ngotho of DCP, others are Abdullahi Hussein (Federal Party of Kenya), Kariuki Kamau (People’s Renaissance Party), Edward Mathenge (Kenya Moja Movement), Rachael Njoroge (People’s Democratic Party) and Wilson Kigwa (Jubilee Party), Stephen Wanyoike (National Liberal Party) and Edward Muchiri of Party of National Unity.
Political analysts say the by-election has effectively become a referendum on the influence of both Kindiki and Gachagua in Mt Kenya politics.
Prof Kindiki is reportedly banking on a favourable outcome to consolidate his position as President William Ruto’s key political lieutenant in the region, while Mr Gachagua is seeking to demonstrate that he retains control of Mt Kenya’s voting bloc.
On the ground, Prof Kindiki’s influence is being projected through Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau and former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria. On the opposing side, Gachagua’s camp is working through Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia.
