Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has reacted to reports that the Jubilee Party plans to withdraw from the Olkalou by-election, a move that could reshape the contest and set up a direct duel between the United Democratic Alliance (United Democratic Alliance) and the Democracy For Citizens Party (DCP).
Wambugu argued that debates around whether the opposition should cede Olkalou to Jubilee must be viewed within a broader political context of past electoral negotiations and alliances.
He noted that critics insisting the opposition should not surrender the seat because Kiaraho was working with the government should also recall the Mbeere North scenario.
In that case, he said, current Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, then a Member of Parliament, joined President William Ruto’s government despite previously being aligned to the opposition Democratic Party, yet the seat was still politically associated with the Democratic Change Party during negotiations.
According to Ngunjiri Wambugu, such examples demonstrate that Kenyan politics often involves fluid alliances where individual political moves do not always determine constituency-level party arrangements.
He urged political actors to approach the Olkalou race with consistency and fairness, warning against selective interpretations of past political transitions.
The remarks come amid heightened political activity in Nyandarua County as parties position themselves for a competitive by-election expected to attract national attention.
Political observers say the Olkalou by-election is increasingly shaping up as a strategic battleground that could influence future alliances in the wider Mt Kenya region, with parties testing their strength ahead of the by- election.
Leaders closely watching how voter sentiment responds to shifting coalitions and endorsements, especially as national politics becomes more competitive and localized dynamics begin to play a decisive role in constituency-level outcomes across multiple counties in Kenya today.
Analysts also caution that rhetoric surrounding withdrawals and seat negotiations may intensify political temperatures further, urging restraint and focus on issue-based campaigns as parties prepare to formally unveil candidates and mobilize grassroots support across affected regions in coming weeks across the country today.