The Jubilee Party has officially unveiled Engineer Wilson Kigwa as its candidate for the forthcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election in Ol Kalou Constituency, setting the stage for an intense political contest aimed at retaining a seat the party has held for years.
Speaking during a press conference at the party headquarters, Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta announced that the party had concluded its internal consultations and nomination processes after receiving applications from several aspirants interested in contesting for the seat.
Ole Kenta said the party leadership, through the guidance of the National Elections Board and consultations with all qualified aspirants, had unanimously settled on Engineer Wilson Kigwa to fly the Jubilee flag in the by-election occasioned by the death of former area MP David Kiaraho.
“The Jubilee Party wishes to officially inform the people of Ol Kalou constituency and the country at large that following consultations and nominations, the party has settled on Engineer Wilson Kigwa, who will now fly the party flag in the forthcoming by-election,” said Ole Kenta.
He described the decision as a demonstration of unity and maturity within the party, noting that all aspirants agreed to rally behind a single candidate in order to strengthen Jubilee’s chances of retaining the seat.
Ole Kenta said Jubilee remained firmly rooted in Ol Kalou, emphasizing that the late Kiaraho had served under the party ticket for three consecutive terms and left behind a legacy of development-oriented leadership.
“It is now all systems go for Jubilee in Ol Kalou. The party remains stronger, more focused and more prepared than ever before. We are fully mobilized and ready to engage the people with a message of hope, development, unity and accountable leadership,” he stated.
The Secretary General also thanked the other aspirants for accepting consensus and supporting Kigwa’s candidature.
Engineer Kigwa, while accepting the nomination, expressed gratitude to his fellow contenders for agreeing to unite behind him. He pledged to work closely with all Jubilee leaders and supporters to ensure the party retains the parliamentary seat.
“I want to thank my competitors in Jubilee for agreeing through negotiations that I become the party’s candidate for Ol Kalou constituency. We shall work together for the people of Ol Kalou,” he said.
Former aspirant Beatrice Gathoni Kamau declared her full support for Kigwa, saying the party had resolved to campaign peacefully and collectively across the constituency.
“We have agreed that Engineer Kigwa will carry the Jubilee flag in Ol Kalou. We are going to work together and ensure Jubilee retains this seat,” she said.
Kamau added that Jubilee supporters had remained loyal to the party and were determined to preserve the political legacy left behind by the late Kiaraho.
Jubilee leaders who attended the event reiterated that the by-election would be crucial in reaffirming the party’s political influence in Nyandarua County and the larger Mt Kenya region.
Among those who addressed the gathering was former governor Francis Kimemia, who said Jubilee intended to restore the constituency’s development agenda and maintain respectful issue-based politics.
“We want to restore the respect and glory of Ol Kalou as Kiaraho left it under Jubilee leadership. We will focus on development, dialogue with citizens, farmers, traders, cooperatives and the youth,” Kimemia said.
He described Kigwa as a highly qualified professional with experience in engineering, electricity, water and solar power projects, saying his background made him suitable to continue the constituency’s development agenda.
Jubilee Director of Elections Kembi Gitura praised both Kigwa and Kamau for demonstrating unity of purpose and putting the interests of the party ahead of personal ambition.
Gitura said the party considered the Ol Kalou seat a Jubilee stronghold and vowed to campaign aggressively to retain it.
Deputy Secretary General Zack Kinuthia used the occasion to appeal to parties allied under the United Opposition umbrella to support Jubilee’s candidate and avoid fielding rival aspirants in the by-election.
Kinuthia argued that the seat rightfully belonged to Jubilee since it had been won by the late Kiaraho under the party ticket.
“We are appealing to our coalition partners to allow Jubilee to field the sole opposition candidate in Ol Kalou so that we move forward together in unity,” he said.
He further appealed to young voters, particularly Gen Zs, to support Kigwa, describing him as an educated and development-focused leader with experience in engineering and modern technologies.
The by-election is expected to attract significant political attention as parties seek to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 General Election. Jubilee leaders expressed confidence that the party would retain the seat through a united campaign anchored on development, peace and grassroots mobilization.
