By Anderson Ojwang
Kenya’s politics of colonial and post-independence is not complete without delving into the contributions of Nyandarua County.
Nyandarua County is a unique one. It is the heart of Kikuyu politics. The home of the rebels and settlers. The spiritual and cultural home to the community shrines. And similarly, during the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) ranking, Nyandarua topped and took several of the candidates to national schools.
It is the home of the Mungiki sect and the heart of Mau Mau liberation during the struggle for independence.
Marginalised
But on the contrary, Nyandarua for decades after independence has been marginalised by successive regimes and has developed a thick skin.
Despite the marginalisation, Nyandarua has not only dictated Mt Kenya’s politics but also the national dispensation.
Nyandarua is the home of freedom fighter, the late JM Kariuki, who was instrumental in the pre-independence and post-independence socio-economic and political dispensation.
The recent death of Ol Kalou MP Njuguna Kiaraho prompted the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to gazette the constituency for a by-election.
The by-election comes at a time when the IEBC has produced a roadmap to the 2027 general election and is the test pad for the Mt Kenya opposition wing led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Contrast and parallels
Interestingly, Ol Kalou is the home of JM Kariuki, a socialist and fiery politician during the administration of the founding president, the late Jomo Kenyatta.
JM’s parents were originally from Nyeri but were displaced in 1928 from their family home in Chinga village.
In the late 1960s and early ’70s, Kariuki’s relationship with Kenyatta became increasingly strained as Kariuki became increasingly vocal in his criticism of Kenyatta’s governmental policies and their results, including high levels of government corruption and widening inequalities.
The government’s attempts to thwart his re-election as Nyandarua North MP in 1972 flopped because of his popularity among ordinary Kenyans.
While Kenyatta praised Kenya’s great progress, JM declared that Kenya “had become a country of 10 millionaires and ten million beggars.”
Interestingly, Nyandarua Senator John Methu and the residents have come up with a new political mantra and movement of “Sh10 versus Sh1 billion” in the July 16th parliamentary by-election.
This was in reference to the alleged remarks by former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who called the DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru – Ngotho a “chokora” (street kid), prompting residents to raise funds for the purchase of a suit for his swearing-in as MP-elect.
He wrote on his social media platforms: “And 2,823 souls gave 10 shillings each to buy a suit for the swearing-in of the incoming Ol Kalou MP Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru – Ngotho. Moses Kuria called him a chokoraa, and the people have decided to make lemonade out of the lemon.”
He continued: “Last Tuesday, Mugumo villagers agreed to contribute 10 shillings each when they come today, to buy a brand new suit for the swearing-in of the incoming MP Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru – Ngotho after Mr William Samoei Ruto, through his most trusted lieutenant Moses Kuria, called him a chokoraa. Pesa wametoa nyingi.”
For Methu, the Sh10 contributions run deeper than just financial support – it is love and a morale booster ahead of the July 16th by-election.
“The 10 shillings movement really boosts our morale ahead of the 16th July moment of truth. It’s not the money, it’s the love. Ata Mpesa imehang vile mmetum. Siku ingine mtu akiitana chokoraa atajua ata chokora ako na watu wao. Ukiona mama amefunga kumi kwa handkerchief ya kuletea Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru – Ngotho ujue huku mambo ni noma. It’s 10 shillings versus 1 billion,” he wrote.
The goodies
Ol Kalou has witnessed a cocktail of development goodies from the government to the residents, including the return of passenger railway services to the area.
In a recent social media post, Kenya Railways appreciated the overwhelming support for the re-opening of the Gilgil-Nyahururu-Ol Kalou railway line on June 2nd 2026.
“Kenya Railways remains on track in delivering the government’s development agenda by enhancing connectivity, supporting trade and agriculture, and driving socio-economic development across Kenya,” read the post.
Several government officials have been carrying out “goodies” missions, launching development and infrastructure projects across the constituency to bolster the UDA game plan.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome asked the electorate to support the UDA candidate during the development and inspected and commissioned key government projects.
Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries, Members of Parliament and Senators are among those who have flocked to Ol Kalou to drum up support for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina.
Cabinet Ministers and Permanent Secretaries have been thronging the constituency, including Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, and Laikipia East Member of Parliament Mwangi Kiunjuri, to solicit votes for the government side.
Similarly, Central Kenya leaders allied to President Ruto have intensified campaigns for UDA candidate Samuel Muchina, led by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, who have been crisscrossing the constituency drumming up support for Muchina, who won the UDA nominations and is now flying the party’s flag in the contest.
Waiguru said the ruling party was confident of victory, arguing that the late MP had been a strong supporter of the Kenya Kwanza administration and that continuity in leadership was critical for development.
IEBC dilemma
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recently warned that it may be forced to postpone or cancel the Ol Kalou by-election slated for this Thursday over widespread cases of voter bribery and violence that have already claimed one life.
At the launch of the 2022 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution Report, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon lamented allegations of massive voter bribery and the use of State machinery to influence voters.
The commission threatened to disqualify candidates found culpable of electoral offences, as the rain of cash and violence in the constituency finally landed on its radar.
“We have witnessed voter bribery, campaigns at night, and violence leading to the death of one person,” he stated.
Ethekon raised concerns over what he described as development goodies and handouts being channelled to Ol Kalou through government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.
“We have noted Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries campaigning,” he noted.
DCP vs UDA
DCP wrote on its social media platforms: “No amount of intimidation or bribery shall deter the steadfast resolve of the people of Ol Kalou in their pursuit of electing a leader of substance. We, the people, shall stand firm. The stage is set, and everything is system go! Eyes on the ball. Focus on 16th July 2026. For Ol Kalou by-election, it is done and dusted.”
But UDA also responded: “The momentum is unstoppable as Samuel Muchina Nyagah continued his final campaign engagements with the people of Kaimbaga Ward at Captain Town in Ol Kalou Constituency. With the by-election set for Thursday, 16th July 2026, he reaffirmed his commitment to championing the aspirations of the people, calling on residents to turn out in large numbers and vote for visionary, people-centred leadership that will accelerate development and transform Ol Kalou Constituency. Final submissions at Kanjuiri Centres confirm that the people of Ol Kalou are ready to turn a new page on leadership that listens, acts, and delivers. We are humbled by the continued trust and confidence you have placed in our candidate, Samuel Muchina Nyagah, ahead of the by-election scheduled for Thursday, 16th July 2026.”
