As the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party conducts its nominations to select a candidate for the upcoming Ol Kalou constituency by-election, aspirant Wangenye Ndung’u has raised alarms regarding lower-than-expected voter turnout.
Speaking during the voting process today, Friday, May 8, 2026, Ndung’u urged supporters to turn out in higher numbers to ensure a decisive outcome.
“I am moving around, observing how my supporters are coming out to vote,” Ndung’u stated. “However, one important thing I have noticed since I started moving around is that the turnout is still low. We are asking our followers to come out in strength so we can decide who will take the UDA ticket.”
The contest for the UDA nomination is highly competitive, with 10 aspirants vying to be the party’s flagbearer. Ndung’u, who is a High Court advocate, emphasized the importance of the exercise remaining “free, fair, and transparent” to maintain its credibility.
He highlighted the “bigger picture,” noting that regardless of which of the 10 candidates secures the ticket, the ultimate goal for the aspirants is to remain united behind the party and the President.
“The one who wins, we will all come together to hold their hand,” Ndung’u said, expressing his hope that he would emerge as the successful candidate to lead the party to victory in the by-election.
The Ol Kalou by-election was necessitated by the death of the area’s long-serving Member of Parliament, David Njuguna Kiaraho, who passed away in March 2026.
The nomination exercise serves as a critical litmus test for the ruling UDA party in the Mt. Kenya region, an area of significant political importance. Following the passing of Kiaraho, the race has attracted intense interest, with 10 candidates scrambling for the UDA ticket and others seeking the nomination of the Democratic for the Citizen Party (DCP).
The high number of aspirants in the UDA camp forced the party to organize formal nomination procedures, including a meeting between all 10 aspirants and UDA Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki in early May, where consensus-building and the assurance of a fair process were discussed.
Political analysts view the by-election as more than a local contest; it is considered a significant moment that could shape political dynamics and loyalties in Nyandarua County and the broader Mt. Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election. The party’s ability to manage this crowded, high-stakes internal nomination process without causing long-term divisions is being closely watched by observers.
