from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – KENYA’S opposition has won a parliamentary by-election seen as a dress rehearsal for next year’s general polls,
This sets the stage for what is shaping up to be a watershed contest post-independence.
After days of deadly anarchy, lawlessness and vote rigging claims, Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has emerged victorious as Member of Parliament for the Ol Kalou constituency.
While official results are yet to be released at the time of going to press, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, a member of the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance, accepted the defeat of its candidate, Samuel Muchina.
Waweru is therefore the first Member of Parliament for the DCP, formed in 2025 with the significant involvement of former vice president, Rigathi Gachagua, following his impeachment the year prior.
Gachagua hailed the voters.
“I feel proud and elated to be the leader of such patriotic people who remain loyal to their rights and dignity,” he said.
Kithure Kindigi, current vice president after Gachagia was impeached, accepted defeat on behalf of his party and candidate.
He urged the winner to unite the residents and serve them all without distinction.
Kindigi believes despite defeat, Muchina had “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,” he addressed Muchina.
Kamau has to hit the ground running to quell tensions in the constituency located in Nyandarua county in the central Mount Kenya region, which is the ultimate battle stage for the 2027 presidial polls.
The region is Kenya’s ancestral and cultural heartland.
Violence between rival political parties and allegations of human rights abuses by state security marred the runup to this week’s poll.
At least one person was killed and scores arrested for the mayhem.
Thursday’s election was seen as part of a bigger picture for control of the region and a litmus test for the August 2027 poll for Gachagua and his former boss, William Ruto.
The pair has spectacularly fallen out since they were a winning combination in the 2022 elections.
– CAJ News