The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has downplayed its loss in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by election, insisting the outcome does not reflect President William Ruto’s popularity in the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking on Friday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar said the party remains confident of its support in the region despite losing the seat to Rigathi Gachagua’s Democratic Congress Party (DCP).
Omar described the by election as an isolated contest, saying it should not be used to judge the President’s standing ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“President William Ruto remains strong in Mt Kenya. One by election cannot erase the support he continues to enjoy across the region,” Omar said.
His remarks came a day after DCP candidate Sammy Waweru defeated UDA’s candidate in the closely watched Ol Kalou by election, handing Gachagua’s party its first parliamentary seat.
The race attracted national attention after turning into a political battle between Ruto and his former deputy, with both UDA and DCP deploying top leaders to campaign for their candidates.
Despite the defeat, Omar maintained that UDA remains the country’s strongest political party and urged members not to be discouraged by the outcome.
He said the ruling party would continue strengthening its grassroots structures as it prepares for future elections.
The UDA Secretary General also dismissed claims that the Ol Kalou result signals a shift in Mt Kenya politics, saying the region has consistently supported President Ruto and will continue backing his development agenda.
The Ol Kalou by election has sparked fresh political debate, with DCP leaders celebrating the victory as a major breakthrough in the Mt Kenya region, while UDA insists the result will not affect its support base.
The contest is widely seen as an early political test ahead of the 2027 General Election, with both camps expected to intensify campaigns in the region over the coming months.