The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
UDA National Organising Secretary Vincent Musyoka Kawaya has rejected claims that the outcome of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election reflects the likely direction of the 2027 General Election.
Kawaya argued that a single by-election cannot be used to determine the country’s broader political trends, saying the presidential contest will be shaped by national issues rather than isolated electoral results.
Speaking in Mung’ala, Machakos Town Constituency, the UDA official criticised opposition leaders for celebrating the Ol Kalou victory, describing their reaction as premature.
He maintained that UDA remains one of the country’s strongest political parties based on its performance in recent by-elections, claiming the party has secured six victories out of the last ten parliamentary and senatorial contests.
Kawaya compared the opposition’s reaction to the Ol Kalou win to a situation where a single achievement receives more attention than consistent performance, saying the focus should instead be placed on overall results.
The Mwala MP expressed confidence that President William Ruto is still on track for another term in office, saying voters will ultimately judge the government based on development projects and service delivery.
He challenged opposition parties to prepare for a competitive 2027 election, insisting that UDA is confident of retaining power.
The remarks come after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate, Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, won the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election by a wide margin.
Waweru was declared the winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after securing 35,440 votes. UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah came second with 5,450 votes, while Jubilee Party’s Wilson Kigwa finished third with 198 votes.
The Ol Kalou contest attracted national attention, with political leaders from both sides campaigning heavily in Nyandarua County. The outcome has been viewed by observers as a significant political signal in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 elections, although UDA leaders have maintained that the result should not be interpreted as a prediction of the presidential race.
