Jubilee party moves to retain Ol Kalou seat, asks for United Opposition's support

Jubilee’s director of elections Kembi Gitura addressing fathfuls at ACK St. Peters Kiganda church in Mathioya on April 26, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA

The Jubilee Party has said it will field a candidate in the Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for July 16.

 The announcement sets the stage for what is shaping up to be a politically charged contest with far-reaching implications for Mt Kenya politics.

 The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of area MP David Kiaraho on March 29.

 Kiaraho had been elected on a Jubilee ticket in 2022 and was serving his third term.

 Jubilee’s director of elections Kembi Gitura said the party will fight to retain the seat, arguing that under the united opposition arrangement, the party that previously held an elective seat should be allowed to defend it in a by-election.

 “We are still in the united opposition, but we’re pushing for our candidate. The late Hon Kiaraho belonged to our party,” Gitura said.

 He said Jubilee had supported other opposition affiliate parties in previous by-elections and now expects reciprocal backing in Ol Kalou.

 “We believe the others in the opposition will support that position, just as we supported them in Mbeere North and others,” he said.

 Kembi, who served as Murang’a senator from 2012 to 2017, also assured members that the party would conduct free, fair and transparent nominations to ensure credible candidates are fielded in future elections.

 He reiterated Jubilee’s support for its presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i, saying the former Interior Cabinet Secretary reminds him of former President Mwai Kibaki because of his work ethic and reserved leadership style.

 The Ol Kalou by-election is emerging as a high-stakes political showdown expected to test shifting alliances and competing centres of influence in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

 The race has evolved into a fierce battle involving President William Ruto’s ruling UDA party, Rigathi Gachagua’s newly formed DCP party, and Jubilee, which is seeking to defend its traditional foothold in the constituency.

Political analysts view the contest as an early referendum on the battle for Mt Kenya’s political loyalty, with the outcome likely to shape perceptions of which faction currently commands the region’s grassroots support.

 Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni had also previously maintained that the opposition coalition had agreed that parties which initially held seats should automatically field candidates in subsequent by-elections.

 But that position has been challenged by Gachagua’s DCP, which has declared it will contest the seat.

 Gachagua on Wednesday met aspirants seeking the DCP ticket and announced May 9, 2026, as the date for party nominations.

 “This morning, I met with aspirants seeking to fly the DCP party flag in the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026,” Gachagua said in a statement.

 He said aspirants had agreed to a free, fair and credible nomination exercise and committed to respecting the outcome.

 The former Deputy President insisted the party would not impose a candidate through consensus or boardroom deals.

 “The choice will be left to the people,” he said.

 The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has already gazetted July 16 as the polling date, with campaigns expected to run from May 25 to July 13. Candidate nominations are scheduled for May 25 and 26.

 If Jubilee retains the seat, it will bolster claims by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his allies that the party remains politically relevant in the region.

 A DCP victory would strengthen Gachagua’s bid to establish himself as the dominant opposition voice in Mt Kenya, while a UDA win would reinforce President Ruto’s grip on a region that was central to his 2022 victory.