ODM leader Oburu Odinga has criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying he still appears angry despite his party winning the Ol Kalou parliamentary by election.
Oburu made the remarks on Friday, a day after the Democratic Congress Party (DCP) secured its first parliamentary seat following Sammy Waweru’s victory in the hotly contested by election.
Oburu said Gachagua should now focus on promoting peace instead of engaging in political fights.
“When you see Gachagua, he’s always in a fighting mood. He has won an election, but appears he’s still annoyed. The election is over, so Gachagua keep your peace,” Oburu said.
Oburu, who was accompanied by ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, congratulated the winner of the Ol Kalou by election, saying the outcome reflected a credible electoral process.
The two leaders said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had conducted a free and fair election.
Oburu urged Gachagua to accept the outcome and move on, while Wanga said the broad based coalition had now won nine of the last 10 by elections.
“That is a 90 per cent pass,” Wanga said.
The Ol Kalou by election attracted national attention after turning into a fierce contest between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and DCP.
Senior leaders from both sides pitched camp in the constituency, with the race widely seen as an early test of political influence in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The victory handed DCP its first parliamentary seat and has intensified the political rivalry between President William Ruto and his former deputy.
President Ruto also weighed in on the political mood on Friday, urging leaders to put the country’s interests first despite political competition.
“Elections come and go, but Kenya must remain united,” the President said.
Although Ruto did not directly refer to Gachagua or the Ol Kalou by election, his remarks came as political leaders continued reacting to the outcome.
The Ol Kalou results are expected to shape political conversations in the coming months as both UDA and DCP seek to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 General Election.