BY MACHARIA WANGUI
The United Democratic Alliance has handed its Ol Kalou parliamentary ticket to Samuel Muchina Nyaga, a long-serving aide to the late area MP Njuguna Kiaraho, setting the stage for a closely watched by-election in Nyandarua County.
Muchina, who served as Kiaraho’s personal assistant, won the party primaries on Friday after garnering 3,221 votes, according to the UDA electoral board. He edged out his closest rival, George Wambugu Kanuri, who secured 3,077 votes in a tightly contested race that attracted 10 candidates.
Other aspirants in the nomination included Peter Njoroge Mugo (1,049 votes), Mary Nyokabi Kamau (406), Peter Chuchu Njuguna (158), Maina Kiambati (96), Joseph Ndirangu (90), Ezekiah Kamweru (66), Daniel Ndungu (52) and Stanley Mwangi (43).
Muchina’s victory positions him as UDA’s flagbearer in the July 16 by-election, which is shaping up to be both a local succession contest and a wider political test in the battle for Mt Kenya vote block
The ruling party’s decision to back a close aide of the late MP reflects a familiar political strategy: leveraging continuity and personal networks to retain voter support.
Personal assistants and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) officials often enjoy strong grassroots connections, having worked closely with constituents on development projects and service delivery.
Some of the case studies include former Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut (now deceased) who was a long-serving aide to powerful Cabinet Minister in Moi’s government Nicholas Biwott.
Patrick Munene, popularly known as Pato, also served as PA to Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and is currently MP for the Chuka Igambang’ombe.
Others are Josses Lelmengit (Emgwen MP), who served as PA to Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, and Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North MP) having under former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator and now Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen as a PA.
Such proximity can translate into electoral advantage, particularly in by-elections triggered by the death of an incumbent. However, observers note that this advantage is not guaranteed. Candidates associated with previous administrations may also face voter backlash if development expectations were not met.
UDA’s gamble in Ol Kalou is therefore seen as an attempt to capitalise on Muchina’s visibility and perceived loyalty to Kiaraho’s legacy, while maintaining its foothold in a region that has recently shown signs of political volatility.
The by-election is unfolding against a backdrop of intensifying rivalry in the Mt Kenya region, with the Democracy for Citizens Party led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua seeking to assert its influence. DCP is undertaking its primaries today in readiness in what is expected to set the stated for a high-stakes political showdown.
The contest comes shortly after a narrow loss by the United Opposition in the Mbeere North by-election, a result that has sharpened competition for political dominance in the region.
The Ol Kalou race offers UDA an opportunity to demonstrate that it still commands support in what has become an increasingly contested political battleground, while DCP is expected to use the by-election to test its mobilisation strength and send a political signal about its standing in the region.
Ol Kalou constituency has a registered voter population of 72,997, spread across five wards, according to the 2022 register. Turnout and voting patterns in the by-election will be closely monitored as indicators of the evolving political mood in Nyandarua and the broader Mt Kenya region. Al ready, the voter turnout on Friday was reported to have been poor.
With both sides framing the contest as a measure of political influence, the July 16 vote is likely to carry significance well beyond the constituency, offering an early glimpse into the region’s trajectory ahead of the 2027 general election.
