Regardless of the Ol Kalou by-election results, two people would not have entertained the idea of the elections being postponed.
Senator John Methu and Woman Representative Faith Gitau and were the main engines and principal players in the by-election, and for two reasons, neither would have wished the elections postponed, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had threatened.
If the campaigns had been left entirely to them, without outsiders, perhaps the election results would have been somewhat different.
During the entire campaign season, neither openly attacked or insulted the other in public.
Mr Methu can be said to be a political product of Ms Gitau, who held the senator's hand during the 2022 General Election when he was still a novice in politics with little financial muscle.
Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau at Mutomo in Kitui County on June 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Pius Maundu I Nation Media Group
The senator contested the same seat in 2017 on a Maendeleo Chap Chap ticket but lost because of inadequate campaign resources and his choice of party.
But the 2022 novice has, within three to four years, graduated to a higher level of political influence.
For example, both are go-getters, are not easily intimidated or blackmailed, and are crowd-pullers.
But in the Ol Kalou by-election, the student appears to have surpassed the teacher, outshone her, and handed her a resounding defeat.
Each of them was confident of winning the by-election, and both were exhausted by the campaign.
They had given it their all: long hours of strategic planning, closed-door meetings, public rallies, and evening meetings with campaign coordinators from across the constituency to receive the day's feedback. These meetings paved the way for higher-level strategy sessions to address issues arising from the coordinators' reports that could not be resolved at that level.
DCP's Sammy Ngotho, accompanied by Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, and other leaders, acknowledges supporters during the final campaign rally at Arboretum Grounds in Ol Kalou on July 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Apart from seeking solutions, the higher-level meetings also planned the following day's activities before briefing their principals—in this case, former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, and President William Ruto, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader.
“Two years ago, I committed to mentoring the next generation of leadership. I deliberately kept off this campaign to see whether my mentees have come of age and I did ask Senator John Methu and Wanjiku Muhia to lead the campaign. I wanted to see whether they have what it takes to provide leadership. I want to confirm today that John Methu has come of age and Wanjiku Muhia is now a coveted of the mountain. We are very happy with you,” Mr Gachagua said in Nyahururu, right after the win.
Depending on the next day's programme, DCP campaign coordinators would be at Senator John Methu's Mugumo residence as early as 5 am to allow other meetings with common interest groups to begin between 5:30 am and 7:30 am, before the teams left for the day's activities.
"It was very tiring. Senator Methu rarely slept. He was very smart in planning and very keen on detail. He had committed all his energy to the by-election, which is why he would not have entertained the idea of postponement. He had invested a lot in terms of commitment. At his home, all guests were treated equally with a 250-gram packet of milk and cake," said resident Johana Kamau.
Noel Wambugu, a youth who became a frequent visitor to Methu's home during the campaigns, said: “He is admired and respected for who he is. People are yet to erase the memory of the Methu they knew before he became a senator, qualities he has retained even after winning the 2022 General Election."
Mr James Mugo from Ol Kalou said the senator, now known for his signature beard and unkempt hair, is admired for his bravery, wit and humour and creativity in adapting popular musicians' melodies, speaking truth to power, and humility.
"He is the best orator we have in the Mt Kenya region. He is second only to DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua. He has a way of explaining complex issues humorously, making residents relate to what he is saying. One wishes to listen to him for hours because he is never boring. His physical appearance, especially his hair and casual dressing, helps him blend in with everyone. Methu is one person you always want to be around," said Mr Mugo.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu (left), Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, and other DCP leaders address worshippers at St Lwanga Catholic Church in Mirangine, Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, on July 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Mr Joseph Ngotho, a newspaper vendor in Ol Kalou town, said he feels attached to the senator.
"The senator is very brave and entertaining to be with. He is the only leader who can face anyone and tell them the truth. In Ol Kalou town, he still walks around, interacts with residents, enters small hotels and enjoys a cup of tea with them. He is not in the habit of giving handouts, but he never turns away anyone with a genuine need. You also do not have to go through intermediaries to access him. He is down-to-earth and lives a normal lifestyle. I would also say he has God's favour. In Nyandarua, he enjoys a fanatical following," said Mr Ngotho.
Reuben Kabiru said: "I visited his home several times during the campaigns. People easily followed his directives. If Methu told you to sit down, you would find yourself doing so, regardless of whether you were sitting on grass or in muddy water. People walked tens of kilometres just to listen to and be entertained by Methu. That is how he won votes for MP-elect Kamau Ngotho."
"Though I am older than him, during the campaigns I felt younger than him. We differed on several occasions over various issues, but he has a way of handling crises without holding grudges. Everything with him ends with either a smile or a loud laugh. That is how he guided us to victory," said Mr Ngotho.
Ms Gitau has almost similar attributes. She is also generous, brave and a smart politician.
UDA Ol Kalou by-election candidate Samuel Muchina (right) is joined by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau in a dance during a campaign rally at Captain Trading Centre on July 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
She introduced the UDA party to Nyandarua at a time when many politicians would not have dared because of the hostility of former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration, during which leaders, including the DCP leader, were arrested several times over corruption allegations. The cases were later dismissed by the courts after appeals were filed when he became Deputy President.
During the 2022 campaigns and afterwards, DCP leaders often described Ms Gitau as a brave woman and even joked that some men should be wearing skirts while she wore trousers.
But that was before they parted ways and Ms Gitau supported the impeachment motion against Mr Gachagua.
Ms Gitau introduced UDA to Nyandarua through the Rurii Ward by-election following the death of MCA Mburu Githinji, with Muraya Githaiga winning the seat after defeating the Jubilee Party candidate.
The UDA team started well, but confusion, supremacy battles and personal interests spoiled the campaign.
There were too many conflicting leadership styles, unlike at the beginning when Ms Gitau was fully in charge of the campaign and served as the team coordinator.
"The situation changed with the many visits by politicians from outside Nyandarua. For example, we had Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri holding parallel campaign meetings, a team under Dennis Itumbi, and another led by Cabinet Secretaries under CS Rebecca Miano. There was a lot of confusion as the teams competed to outshine one another," said Peter Ngomo, who supported UDA candidate Muchina Nyaga, who lost to Mr Ngotho.
"For example, at one point, the team led by MP Kiunjuri held a meeting at Miiri Primary School, less than a kilometre away from where the Woman Representative was holding a similar campaign meeting at Kaptain Market," said Ngomo.
It was a similar scenario to the 2021 Rurii Ward by-election, where Jubilee officials, including former Governor Daniel Waithaka's successor Francis Kimemia, former Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, former Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya and Ndaragwa MP, now Jubilee Party leader Jeremiah Kioni, held parallel campaign forums for the same candidate in a supremacy battle that lasted into the 2022 General Election.
The heavy presence of politicians, government officials and campaign goodies also overshadowed UDA's campaign agenda.
UDA Ol Kalou by-election candidate Samuel Muchina (right) is joined by other leaders affiliated to the party including Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau in a dance during a campaign rally at Captain Trading Centre on July 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
"The goodies did not work for UDA because the distribution was not properly coordinated. You would find the Woman Representative handling one group of voters in a location while a Cabinet Secretary was doing the same nearby. The gifts were too many and poorly coordinated. Voters eventually became more interested in the handouts than the campaign message. Ms Gitau should have been allowed to coordinate the campaigns to the very end because she understands the grassroots and knows the unique challenges facing each area," said Euty Mwangi, a UDA supporter from Mirangine.
Derogatory language used by some politicians against the opposition caused irreparable damage to the UDA candidate, and Ms Gitau spent valuable campaign time trying to contain the resulting crises.
"But some damage cannot be repaired. If you insult an elderly woman, whether individually or as a group, that memory never fades. It stays," said Ms Julieta Wangui.
