By Anderson Ojwang
On Tuesday in Ol Kalou, a precedent was set. A new chapter in Kenya’s political and electoral process was birthed.
A new beginning, dawn, and an idea was mooted and delivered ahead of the 2027 general elections. The planted seed is likely to go against the expected grain in the 2027 general elections and into the future.
In Ol Kalou, the residents developed a new political mantra and movement of “Sh10 versus Sh1 billion” in the July 16th parliamentary by-election.
On Tuesday, residents of Ol Kalou in their tens gathered in what they termed as Sh10 contributions to purchase a suit for the swearing-in of the DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru.
The Sh10 against Sh1 billion movement began after it was alleged that former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria called the DCP candidate “chokora” (street kid).
Contributions
DCP Secretary General and Nyandarua Senator Methu said a total of 2,823 people contributed Sh10 each for the purchase of the suit.
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.”
The movement
The movement is likely to usher in a new political mantra in the country and change the course of next year’s general elections.
Methu wrote on his social media platforms: “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 seat fell vacant following the death of area Member of Parliament Njuguna Kiaraho, prompting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to gazette the constituency for a by-election.
The high voltage contest
The Ol Kalou by-election is a high-voltage contest between President Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua. It is the first time the two leaders are facing off in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua has declared himself the de facto leader of Mt Kenya, while President Ruto wants to show and make a statement that Mt Kenya is still under his control as the country heads to next year’s general elections.
So the President has unleashed a high-voltage team and goodies to the region to sway the July by-election outcome.
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.
Implications
Political analyst Oyugi Odedo said the Sh10 movement may be a new idea that could shape the country’s political landscape going into the future.
“Now it may look small, but it will germinate into something bigger. The people will be interested in what the candidate presents and not loads of millions he gives out to voters to win their support. This is a fresh beginning,” he argued.
The contributors
Odedo said the 2,823 residents who contributed the Sh10 to the DCP candidate could simply mean that Waweru already has that vote block in his war chest.
“The simple truth is that Waweru is starting the race with 2,823 secret votes in the chest. These people will definitely vote for him. They have made up their minds. And if the number continues to grow, that would eventually translate into the number of votes he will garner in the by-election,” he said.
Ol Kalou may be the seed Kenyans needed in the future electoral process and could usher in a new dispensation to the country.
