Political scientist Prof Mutahi Ngunyi has urged President William Ruto to reconsider his political strategy following the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) defeat in the Ol Kalou by-election, terming the outcome a clear rejection by Mt Kenya voters.
In a statement after the July 16 contest, Ngunyi argued that continued efforts to consolidate support in the region may be futile, pointing to the decisive victory by the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate as evidence of shifting voter sentiment.
“Dear Ruto. No point courting Kikuyus. You have tried. They have rejected you. Ol Kalou is the testament,” Ngunyi said, framing the result as a political turning point for the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The Ol Kalou by-election saw DCP’s Sammy Kamau Ngotho secure a commanding win over UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah, in a race that had drawn national attention and was widely viewed as a test of political influence in Nyandarua County and the broader Mt Kenya region.
Ngunyi further advised the President to redirect his political focus towards other regions, specifically the Luo Nyanza and Western Kenya blocs.
“Turn to the Luo Nation and Mulembe Nation. Ol Kalou is a pain point for you,” he added, suggesting the loss could signal deeper political undercurrents beyond a single constituency.
He also raised questions about whether the by-election outcome could be interpreted as a strategic inflection point for the President.
“Or was it an experiment to justify discarding Kikuyus? Just do it,” Ngunyi posed, in remarks likely to spark debate within political circles.
In his most controversial suggestion, the political analyst called for a shake-up within government, proposing the dismissal of Cabinet Secretaries from the Mt Kenya region.
“Nine Kikuyu ministers? Fire them,” he stated.
The remarks come amid increasing political reactions following the by-election, with leaders across the divide interpreting the results through different lenses.
While opposition figures have framed the outcome as a sign of declining support for the ruling coalition, UDA leaders have maintained that the party remains strong nationally despite the setback.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is expected to formally gazette the results, even as the Ol Kalou outcome continues to shape the country’s evolving political discourse.