Battle for Ol Kalou Begins as UDA Hands Samuel Muchina Ticket

 

Samuel Muchina Nyaga celebrates after securing the UDA nomination ticket for the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

Article by: Babz Abdul-Raheem.
Date: may 09,2026.

The race to replace former Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho has officially begun after the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party handed its ticket to Samuel Muchina Nyaga ahead of the upcoming by-election.

Muchina clinched the party nomination following a hotly contested primary election that attracted ten aspirants, underlining the growing political importance of the Nyandarua constituency. He narrowly defeated his closest rival, George Wambugu Kanuri, in a race that kept supporters on edge until the final tally.

Speaking after being declared the winner, Muchina thanked party supporters and pledged to unite residents and continue championing development projects across the constituency. He called on his competitors to rally behind him as the party prepares for what is expected to be a fiercely contested by-election.

The Ol Kalou seat fell vacant following the death of former MP David Kiaraho, whose passing sparked political realignments within the Mt Kenya region. The by-election is now being viewed as a major political test for President William Ruto’s UDA party as it seeks to maintain dominance in the region amid growing competition from emerging political outfits.

Political observers believe the contest could evolve into a wider supremacy battle in Mt Kenya politics, especially with allies linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expected to field a strong candidate through the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

The upcoming campaigns are expected to focus on key issues affecting residents, including agriculture, youth unemployment, road infrastructure, healthcare services, and economic empowerment programs.

UDA leaders have expressed confidence that Muchina’s grassroots support and the party’s strong presence in Nyandarua County will secure victory in the by-election. However, opposition candidates are also expected to mount aggressive campaigns as political temperatures continue to rise.

With the by-election date drawing closer, Ol Kalou residents are preparing for an intense political showdown that could shape the future political direction of the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.