Ruto-Gachagua rivalry spills into Ol Kalou mini polls race
The looming Ol Kalou by-election is fast emerging as an early proxy battleground in Kenya’s widening political realignment, sharpening the feud between President William Ruto’s camp and allies of his impeached former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, even as opposition parties test fragile unity ahead of 2027.
The contest was triggered by the death of veteran MP David Njuguna Kiaraho on March 29, 2026 opening a politically sensitive seat in a region where both the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and rival formations are seeking to consolidate influence.
While Jubilee Party has moved quickly to announce it will field a candidate and simultaneously push for opposition unity, the race is already being shaped by deeper national calculations—particularly the struggle for control of the vote-rich Mt Kenya bloc.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni framed the contest as a “litmus test” for opposition cohesion, urging allied parties to rally behind a single candidate.
However, smaller parties such as the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) have rejected that push, insisting they will independently field contenders.
DCP’s stance reflects a broader fragmentation within opposition ranks, but also signals resistance to perceived dominance by established political players.
More significantly, the by-election is being viewed through the prism of the escalating Ruto–Gachagua political fallout.
Since Gachagua’s impeachment, he has sought to reassert himself as the political voice of the Mt Kenya region, often accusing President Ruto’s allies of betrayal and marginalisation.
The region remains the central prize in the emerging political contest, with both camps seeking to define post-2022 loyalties.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki openly escalated political tensions with his predecessor, Gachagua, declaring that he will once again “embarrass” him in the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election following the Mbeere North mini polls defeat.
Kindiki is seeking to edge out rivalry within the Mt Kenya political bloc ahead of the 2027 succession politics.
The by-election itself is already attracting multiple political actors, with Jubilee and other opposition-leaning parties pushing for either unity or independent candidatures, while UDA seeks to consolidate its dominance through a coordinated campaign structure under the “broad-based” political framework.
Kindiki’s remarks add to rising political temperature in the region, where leaders allied to both Ruto and Gachagua are increasingly engaging in direct verbal exchanges over loyalty, electoral strength, and control of vote-rich constituencies.
This weekend, President William Ruto is pitching tent in Murang’a county for his two-day development tour that began yesterday in the restive Mt Kenya region.
The tour includes the launch of roads, markets, a T-VET facility, affordable housing projects, and inspections of key infrastructure such as the Sh800 million Mumbi Stadium in Murang’a town and the expansion of Kenneth Matiba Hospital, overseen by the Kenya Defence Forces.
However, the visit comes against a backdrop of deep political divisions in the region.
Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina urged residents to support the government, accusing opposition leaders of undermining development efforts.
Meanwhile, Sabina Chege called on locals to embrace government projects and use the visit to lobby for more development.
The tour follows rising political tensions in Mt Kenya, where Gachagua has openly clashed with President Ruto since his 2024 impeachment.
At a recent memorial service in Nyandarua, Gachagua accused the President of betrayal and claimed he still retained strong grassroots support, while Ruto maintained he would not seek permission to tour any part of the country.
