The final day of campaigns ahead of the Ol’Kalou by-election ended with mixed fortunes for the main contenders, as political activity officially came to a halt following the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) deadline ahead of Thursday’s vote.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) began the day on a high note, holding a series of well-attended rallies across the constituency. Party leaders and supporters traversed different parts of Ol’Kalou, urging residents to back the ruling party’s candidate during the upcoming by-election.
However, the atmosphere changed later in the evening after campaign activities ended. Videos and photographs widely shared on social media, and carried by media outlets including NTV Kenya and The Standard Digital, showed yellow UDA-branded caps and T-shirts scattered along sections of the Ol’Kalou-Nyahururu road.
According to witnesses, some groups of youths were seen discarding and stepping on the campaign merchandise shortly after the party concluded its final rally. The images quickly attracted widespread attention online, sparking debate over what they could indicate about voter sentiment in the constituency.
The developments have added uncertainty to the closely watched by-election, with political observers suggesting the incident may reflect a highly competitive race rather than a clear indication of the final outcome.
Meanwhile, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, concluded its campaigns on a positive note. The party’s candidate, Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, wrapped up his final campaign rally at the Ol’Kalou Arboretum grounds, where supporters turned out in large numbers.
With the mandatory 48-hour campaign silence period now in effect, all candidates and political parties are prohibited from conducting public campaign activities until voting is completed.
Residents of Ol’Kalou will head to the polls on Thursday to elect their new representative, bringing an end to an intense campaign period that has seen both the ruling party and the opposition make strong efforts to secure voter support. Political analysts expect a competitive contest, with the electorate set to determine the outcome through the ballot.