NAIROBI, Kenya — The Linda Mwananchi movement has cancelled its planned stop in Ol Kalou and will now hold only two engagements in Nyahururu on Sunday, July 12, following objections from former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who argued that the ongoing Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election campaigns should be left to local leaders.
The change was confirmed by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata through a post on his official X account on Friday, where he announced that the movement would no longer visit Ol Kalou as earlier planned.
“Linda will only go to Nyahururu Town,” Kang’ata stated.
The decision marks a significant shift in the movement’s original itinerary for the Nyandarua–Laikipia region and comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou by-election.
Ol Kalou removed from tour schedule
The initial Linda Mwananchi programme had outlined four stops across Nyandarua County:
- 10:00 a.m. – Ngorika AIPCA
- 1:00 p.m. – Tumaini Shopping Centre
- 2:00 p.m. – Ol Kalou
- 5:00 p.m. – Nyahururu
However, the revised programme, now branded as the Nyahururu Town Tour, removes both Tumaini Shopping Centre and Ol Kalou from the schedule.
The updated itinerary now includes only:
- 10:00 a.m. – AIPCA Nyahururu Cathedral
- 1:00 p.m. – Nyahururu Town
The revisions effectively eliminate any direct involvement by the movement in the final stretch of the Ol Kalou parliamentary campaign.
Gachagua opposes external campaign teams
The changes follow remarks made by Gachagua earlier on Friday during a press briefing at the DCP headquarters in Nairobi.
The former Deputy President cautioned leaders from outside Nyandarua against entering the constituency to campaign during the final days before polling, insisting that local DCP leaders were fully capable of managing the race.
“I want to tell my brother Irungu Kang’ata I heard him saying that he wants to come with Linda Mwananchi to Ol Kalou. We don’t need you there for DCP, unless you are coming to campaign for another party,” Gachagua said.
He argued that campaign messaging should be driven by leaders who understand the constituency and its political dynamics.
“Irungu Kang’ata has never been to Ol Kalou. He does not understand Ol Kalou. He doesn’t understand the issues. He doesn’t understand the narrative. He cannot come and bring Linda Mwananchi to campaign on the last day without knowing what the issues are and how the campaign is being done,” he added.
Opposition unity tested ahead of poll
While Gachagua’s comments appeared critical of Kang’ata’s proposed involvement, the subsequent adjustment of the tour schedule suggests efforts within opposition ranks to avoid internal friction during a politically sensitive by-election.
Political observers view the move as an attempt to maintain opposition cohesion while ensuring that local campaign teams retain control of messaging and voter mobilisation efforts in the constituency.
Also Read: Gachagua accuses IEBC of bias ahead of Ol Kalou by-election
The Ol Kalou by-election was triggered by the death of area MP David Njuguna Kiaraho and has emerged as one of the most closely watched contests ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The race has attracted candidates from several political formations, including UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah and DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, with both camps intensifying their campaigns as polling day approaches.
High-stakes contest
The by-election has drawn national attention due to its symbolic significance for both the ruling coalition and emerging opposition formations.
For DCP, the contest presents an opportunity to test its grassroots mobilisation strength in Central Kenya, while UDA is seeking to retain a seat in one of its traditional political strongholds.
With less than a week remaining before voters head to the polls, political parties are increasingly focusing on local mobilisation, voter turnout and final campaign messaging.
The decision by Linda Mwananchi to stay away from Ol Kalou is likely to reduce the risk of competing narratives within the opposition camp while allowing local leaders to drive the final phase of the campaign.
