Nine Candidates Cleared for Ol-Kalou Parliamentary Seat By-Election

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially cleared nine candidates to contest the upcoming Ol-Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16.

Speaking after receiving their nomination certificates, the candidates pledged to conduct peaceful campaigns as political competition intensifies, particularly among candidates from the DCP, UDA and Jubilee parties.

A convoy led by DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho made its way to the IEBC offices in Ol-Kalou, Nyandarua County, where he successfully presented his nomination papers before being issued with his clearance certificate.

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah was also cleared to vie in the race escorted by a large crowd that included MPs Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, EALA MP Maina Karobia and Leo Wamuthende (Mbere North)..

People’s Renaissance Movement candidate Timothy Kamau drew attention after arriving at the IEBC offices while riding on a donkey, a dramatic entrance that excited supporters gathered at the venue.

“I’m happy to be the first Gen-Z to vie for a seat in the country, since we demonstrated all over, “ Kariuki noted.

Wilson Kigwa, who is a candidate contesting on the Jubilee party ticket, was escorted by the Deputy Party Leader, Jeremiah Kioni and the party’s Nyandarua County Chairman, Sambigi Mukuria.

The Returning Officer for the Ol-Kalou By-election, Muhia Njiraini, conducted the clearance process at the PCEA Church in Ol-Kalou town.

Njiraini termed the clearance process as smooth, while telling those cleared that they were now free to campaign in the Constituency until July 13, when the campaign period will officially end.

Rachel Wangui Njoroge is the only female candidate who is vying on the People’s Democratic Party.

Other candidates cleared by the IEBC include Edwin Muchiri of PNU, Stephen Wanyoike of the National Liberal Party (NLP), Edward Mathenge, a nephew of the late MP David Kiaraho, who is also an ICT expert of Kenya Moja Movement, and Abdifatah Hussein of the Federal Party of Kenya.

The clearance exercise now ushers in the official campaign period.

The Ol-Kalou seat fell vacant after the death of David Kiaraho, who was serving his third term on a Jubilee ticket.

Kiaraho passed on in March this year and was laid to rest in Tigoni, Limuru, in Kiambu county.