The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has declared Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru Ngotho the winner of the Ol Kalou by-election after he beat his closest competitor by a landslide.
Mr Ngotho garnered 35,440 votes against his main competitor, Muchina Nyaga, who managed 5,460 votes.
Returning Officer Anthony Njiraini announced the results on Friday, July 17, at 6 am, following a night-long tallying exercise at Ol Kalou Secondary School in Ol Kalou town.
Only the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate and his agent attended the tallying process.
DCP candidate Sammy Waweru Ngotho wins MP seat with 35,440 votes; Muchina Nyaga of UDA comes second with 5,450.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
In his maiden speech, the MP-elect condemned the violence allegedly unleashed by goons suspected to be police officers on Thursday, which paralysed voting in most polling stations within Ol Kalou township.
"It is regrettable that we have lost a life due to this election violence. One of the victims, who was well known to me and was a strong supporter, succumbed to his injuries. The goons also attacked innocent journalists whose only weapons were cameras, phones, and notebooks. It pains me deeply because this goonism was planned and funded by members of parliament from the Mt Kenya region, supported by senior police officers," said the MP-elect.
Shock as armed masked men show up, teargas Ol Kalou residents
He added that his landslide victory was a clear message to the government that it is a failed regime.
"What has happened here sets the pace for what will happen next year. I thank the IEBC for a job well done. If you conduct the elections in the same way next year, there is no doubt that the United Opposition will win. You have proven to us and to all Kenyans that the IEBC is indeed an independent commission," said Mr Ngotho.
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He also thanked the uniformed police officers, noting that they conducted their duties professionally.
IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor assured Kenyans that the commission would deliver an even better-run election next year.
"The exercise was a success, and we have learned valuable lessons to help us improve. I urge politicians to focus on the voters from now on, not on us. We only have one IEBC, and we are working overtime to ensure we conduct free and credible elections next year," said the commissioner.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who coordinated the DCP candidate's campaign, also condemned the violence, claiming that the attackers were police officers recruited to target innocent Kenyans.
"I urge the Inspector General of Police to arrest and prosecute these goons. We have their faces, their details, and video footage of them in action. If you arrest them, you will have diligently served Kenyans. If not, you will have thrown this country to the dogs," the senator said.
Ms Jedidah Muchoki, a politician from Ndia who monitored the elections for the DCP candidate, said the police must contain the goons before they get out of hand.
"We thank the voters of Ol Kalou for how they conducted themselves. The elections were peaceful until the goons interfered. The resounding DCP win is a clear indication that Kenyans are fed up with this government. This government is not redeemable; it must be a one-term administration," said Ms Muchoki, who is also an aspiring MP for the Ndia constituency.
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