Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will from today (Monday) retreat to his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri county for 45 days, in a sabbatical that will keep him away from political rallies, including the OI Kalou constituency by-election campaigns.
The upcoming by-election – that has been framed as a 2027 rehearsal between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Mr Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) in the populous Mt Kenya region – is set for July 16, 2026, which is 31 days away.
“You will not see me anywhere in political rallies for the next 45 days,” Mr Gachagua said on Wednesday.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) welcomes leaders at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on May 4, 2025.
Photo credit: Gitonga Marete | Nation Media Group
He said after concluding his three-day tour of Western that ended on Sunday, he would not make public appearances in political rallies so as to have time with opinion leaders on how the United Opposition can settle on a single presidential candidate to face President Ruto .
“My supporters have now instructed me to embark on implementation of our joint strategic stance from Wamunyoro residence for a period of 45 days,” Mr Gachagua said.
Some political observers are of the view that Mr Gachagua’s decision to stay away from political activities, including the by-election campaigns, could hurt DCP candidate, Mr Kamau Ngotho. His presence in the campaigns would have fired up anti-Ruto sentiments and set the mood for 2027 General Election.
Others observe that it could be a strategic move to avoid any direct responsibility should the candidate fail to clinch the seat. Despite the perceived hostility against the ruling party, UDA is pulling all the stops in the area in an attempt to sustain its winning streak in the recent by-elections.
Some of the strategy deployed by UDA, include poaching some of the aspirants, who lost in the DCP party nomination.
The outcome of the by-election could be consequential for Mr Gachagua and his DCP because of its potential of setting the tone for the 2027 polls as well as shaping popularity perception in the region.
A total of nine candidates by various political parties were cleared by the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to participate in the polls.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addresses journalists at his Karen home in Nairobi on June 9, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
They include Mr Ngotho (DCP), Abdullahi Hussein (Federal Party of Kenya), Kariuki Kamau (People’s Renaissance Party), Samuel Muchina (UDA), Edward Mathenge (Kenya Moja Movement), Rachael Njoroge (People’s Democratic Party) and Wilson Kigwa (Jubilee Party).
The Ol Kalou by-election presents a second chance for a direct face-off between Mr Gachagua’s DCP and Dr Ruto’s UDA in a by-election.
Last month, DCP lost to UDA in the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election. UDA has maintained a winning streak in recent by-elections, including in Mbeere North, where the United Opposition fronted a candidate by the Democratic Party (DP).
Mr David Kipsang Keter of UDA party speaks to journalists after being declared the winner in the Emurua Dikirr by-election on May 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Vitalis Kimutai | Nation Media Group
UDA and its broad-based partner, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), have won majority of seats in by-elections held since IEBC was reconstituted.
However, the Ol Kalou by-election carries deep political implications given its geographical location, and Gachagua’s repeated claims that he is the region’s new spokesperson.
A win will cement his place as new political force in the populous region, while a loss will be exploited by President Ruto to weave a narrative that he continues to enjoy backing in the region that swept him to power by handing close to three million votes in the 2022 presidential race.
His allies told the Nation that DCP remains confident of winning the seat despite the planned 45-day retreat by Mr Gachagua. They said that Nyandarua Senator will lead the campaigns, but in the event they need a backup, they will not hesitate to have Mr Gachagua join the campaign trail.
Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejja Donk said nothing stops Mr Gachagua from joining the campaign trail to speak with voters in Ol Kalou ahead of the elections.
“If need be, we will call him for reinforcement. But as things stand now, we are confident of winning. The people in that constituency have made up their mind about the candidate they want to lead them,” he said.
He claimed that UDA has become so unpopular that even locals do not want to put on campaign t-shirts given by its candidate.
“He cannot even have a portrait of William Ruto in his campaign poster,” he claimed.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) and Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Major Donk attending a church service at PCEA Mwiki church in Kasarani on April 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Similar views were shared by Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, who described the 45-day retreat as ‘symbolic’ and does not entirely block Mr Gachugua from participating in campaigns if need be.
“The 45 days’ retreat to Wamunyoro is symbolic in the sense that, it will be dedicated in consultation, engagement and listening to the ground with an aim to yield one presidential candidate for the alternative government,” said the MP.
He said that Mr Gachagua will remain active in the campaigns directly or through his key allies from the region.
“Though Gachagua will campaign in Ol Kalou, personally and through key supporters, the truth is that the campaign for DCP candidate was done and dusted at the late David Kiaraho’s funeral before Ruto,” said Mr Muriu.
Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria is part of the UDA campaign team that has been camping in the region to deliver the seat.
“With Election day scheduled for 16th July 2026, I implored the electorate of Kadeto Karau to turn out in substantial numbers and vote Muchina.”
“He is a leader of action and conviction, whose intimate understanding of Olkalou’s aspirations qualifies him to steward the constituency toward transformative progress,” said Mr Kuria.
