The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially announced that the Ol Kalou Constituency by-election in Nyandarua County will be conducted on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
This decision comes several months after the parliamentary seat became vacant, triggering preparations for a fresh vote to choose a new Member of National Assembly.
In its notice released on Sunday, April 26, the electoral body confirmed that residents of Ol Kalou Constituency will go to the ballot to elect a new MP following the passing of the area legislator, David Njuguna Kiaraho.
The late MP had been serving the constituency since 2013 and was in his third consecutive term before his death.
The seat was officially declared vacant after the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, published a special Gazette Notice on April 20.
The notice followed constitutional requirements under Articles 101(4)(a) and 103(1)(a) and Section 16(3) of the Elections Act. Kiaraho passed away on March 29, 2026, while receiving treatment at The Nairobi Hospital, leading to the official declaration of the seat as vacant.
With the declaration now complete, IEBC has moved forward to organize the mini-election.
The upcoming contest is expected to attract strong political interest, especially between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (United Democratic Alliance) and the Democracy for Citizens Party (Democracy for Citizens Party), which is linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Political competition is expected to be intense as both sides prepare to test their influence in the region.
On Wednesday, April 22, a total of 10 aspirants presented themselves before Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as they sought the UDA party nomination for the Ol Kalou seat.
The party leadership encouraged the aspirants to explore consensus where possible, while assuring them of a fair and transparent nomination process. Many observers see the nomination exercise as an early test of unity and internal democracy within the party.
On the other hand, Gachagua’s DCP has also reported strong interest in the same race, with at least nine candidates competing for its party ticket.
This shows that the by-election is shaping up to be a highly competitive race with multiple candidates from both major political camps.
Beyond Ol Kalou, the IEBC is also preparing for another parliamentary by-election in Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County.
This election is scheduled earlier, on Thursday, May 14, 2026. At the same time, mini-polls will also take place in Porro Ward in Samburu County and Endo Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County, as part of the broader electoral calendar announced by the commission.
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