Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has congratulated Democratic Change Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho following his decisive victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, while sharply criticising the conduct of the poll.
In a social media statement issued after the results, Kalonzo described the outcome as a “resounding victory” not only for the winner but also for voters who, he said, resisted alleged intimidation and electoral malpractice.
“Congratulations, Sammy Kamau Ngotho and the DCP on this resounding victory in the Ol Kalou by-election,” Kalonzo said.
The Wiper leader claimed the electoral process in Nyandarua County was marred by heavy security presence and coercion, accusing the state of deploying police officers and unidentified individuals to influence the vote.
“Kenyans have witnessed the sheer siege on Ol Kalou, indeed on the whole of Nyandarua County, by the National Police Service. Masked men were unleashed to instil fear on wananchi,” he alleged.
He further accused authorities of facilitating widespread bribery during the exercise, terming it “disgusting” and unprecedented in scale.
According to Kalonzo, intimidation had become “policy” under the current administration in what he described as a failed attempt to suppress the will of the electorate.
Despite the allegations, Kalonzo praised voters for turning out and backing their preferred candidate, saying the result reflected public defiance.
“Yet Ol Kalou stood firm. Their message to the people of Kenya is this: stand firm and resolute in the coming months,” he added.
The by-election, held on July 16, 2026, attracted national attention as a key political contest between rival camps aligned to President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and opposition-backed forces.
Ngotho secured a commanding lead over UDA candidate Samuel Muchina, who conceded defeat before the official declaration.
Kalonzo framed the outcome as politically significant ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing it sends a broader message beyond Nyandarua.
“This is not just a parliamentary seat won. This is a message sent to Mr Ruto, to his regime, to Kenya, and indeed to the world,” he said.
He insisted that state power cannot override democratic choice, adding: “You cannot police away the will of a people. You cannot bribe away their conscience.”
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations raised by opposition leaders, even as debate over the credibility of the poll continues.