The race for the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat appeared to tilt in favour of Democracy for the Citizens Party, DCP, candidate Sammy Waweru on Thursday evening, with both the opposition and leaders within the ruling United Democratic Alliance, UDA, projecting his victory even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, IEBC, continued with the official tallying of votes.

The unusual development saw senior UDA leaders publicly concede defeat before the electoral commission announced the official results, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki among those reported to have acknowledged that the ruling party’s candidate was trailing based on agents’ tallies.

“Congratulations Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau on your imminent victory in the by-election held today for the MP seat for Ol Kalou constituency. Unite the residents and serve them all without distinction,” DP Kindiki posted on X.

The Deputy President, who promised a gruelling battle in the August 2027 general election also lauded the ruling party for its showing.

“Congratulations Samuel Muchina, our UDA Party candidate for a good show and a mature, issue-based campaign devoid of insults. You may not have succeeded today, but your star shines bright into the future,” said Kindiki.

On its part, DCP expressed confidence that Waweru had secured a decisive victory, describing the outcome as a significant political statement in a region that has traditionally supported president William Ruto but where the opposition argues public sentiment has shifted.

“Congratulations Hon. Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, on your historic election as the Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou constituency. You have won by a resounding margin, reflecting the unmistakable voice of the people,” said DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua

Both camps said their projections were based on results received from polling station agents. However, the IEBC had not declared a winner by the time of publication, making the official outcome subject to the commission’s verification and tallying process.

“To the great people of Ol Kalou, thank you for giving our party, DCP, its first Member of the National Assembly. Thank you, my great people, for refusing to sell your birthright and for being wise enough not to fall for the deception of development projects,” added Gachagua

The Ol Kalou by-election was held to fill the vacant position of Member of the National Assembly, with voting taking place across the constituency under the supervision of the electoral commission.

In an update issued during polling, the IEBC said the exercise had proceeded smoothly.

“The commission is pleased to announce to the country that the scheduled by-election to fill the vacant elective position of Member of National Assembly for Ol Kalou Constituency is progressing well as planned,” the commission said.

The electoral agency further reported that voter turnout had reached 38.2 per cent of registered voters by 1 p.m., indicating a relatively steady participation rate as residents cast their ballots.

The commission appealed to all stakeholders to remain peaceful and allow the electoral process to run its full course.

“The commission calls upon all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, agents, the media, and voters to respect the law, uphold peace during and after polling, and refrain from any actions that may compromise the secrecy or integrity of the vote,” the IEBC said.

The early concession by senior UDA figures, even before the official declaration of results, marked a rare moment in Kenya’s electoral politics and underscored the confidence among opposition leaders that the by-election had delivered a significant political message.

The by-election had attracted national attention, with both the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition treating it as a key test of political influence in the region.

While parties continued to celebrate or concede based on parallel tallies from their agents, the IEBC maintained that only the commission’s official verification and declaration would determine the final outcome.

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