Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou, chose an unconventional mode of transport to attend his swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, boarding a public service matatu to Parliament.
Kamau, who represents the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), shared photos and videos of his journey on social media, expressing gratitude to God and the residents of Ol Kalou for the overwhelming support that secured his victory.
By-Election Victory
The by-election was highly competitive, drawing intense campaigns from both the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and opposition parties. Kamau secured a landslide win, garnering over 35,440 votes compared to 5,450 votes for his closest rival, UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah.
This result marked the first parliamentary seat for the DCP since its formation and dealt a significant blow to President William Ruto's UDA party in a key Mt Kenya political battleground ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Election Context and Campaigns
- Nine candidates contested the seat, with the remaining seven candidates receiving minimal votes.
- The ruling UDA party ran a campaign emphasizing government development projects, supported by several Cabinet Secretaries, governors, and MPs who also distributed goods such as mattresses and water tanks.
- Opposition campaigns, led by figures including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Nyandarua Senator John Methu, focused on economic challenges and the rising cost of living, calling for political change.
Kamau’s journey by matatu to Parliament symbolized his connection with ordinary Kenyans and underscored the grassroots nature of his campaign and victory.
