UDA defends Ol Kalou loss, insists President Ruto remains strong in Mt. Kenya

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has downplayed Thursday's defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, maintaining that the outcome does not weaken the party's foothold in the Mt Kenya region nor its support for President William Ruto's administration.

Addressing the media on Friday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar congratulated both the winning and losing candidates, thanking the people of Ol Kalou for peacefully exercising their democratic right.

He was speaking hours after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho was declared the winner of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after garnering 35,440 votes. He trounced United Democratic Alliance's (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga in a hotly contested poll.

He noted that the constituency had traditionally been a Jubilee Party stronghold, arguing that UDA had mounted an ambitious campaign in an attempt to capture the seat.

"Jubilee lost heavily, a seat they were holding and almost had no chance of defending it. UDA had a chance of recouping it," said Omar.

Omar said the party had "gone out of its way" and invested heavily in the by-election, but acknowledged that "the will of the people of Ol Kalou prevailed."

He added that UDA would study the political shifts behind the loss, admitting that some factors extended beyond campaign strategy.

Despite the setback, the UDA Secretary General dismissed suggestions that the result signalled declining support in Mt Kenya, insisting that both the party and President Ruto remain committed to the region.

He argued that while UDA campaigned on its development agenda, its opponents relied on emotional appeals.

Omar defended the ruling party by pointing to its victories in previous by-elections, saying the broader political landscape still favours President Ruto's bid for a second term.

He also praised the efforts of senior UDA leaders, including National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, for what he described as a spirited campaign.

"Even if you tell us there's another election anywhere else in the Mount Kenya West, we will still go there again. We'll do it again and again. We'll not run away," a confident Omar said.

On the conduct of the election, Omar congratulated the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for delivering a credible poll, accusing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of attempting to undermine public confidence in the Commission and other independent institutions.

He further criticised Gachagua over alleged attacks on security agencies and remarks targeting certain communities.

The UDA Secretary General also defended Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and the country's security agencies, saying they had remained resilient despite sustained criticism from the opposition.

Responding to questions on the political implications of the loss, Omar said while Mt. Kenya contributes a significant number of Principal Secretaries, state corporation chairpersons and chief executives, the government's broad-based approach would continue regardless of political realignments.

He also rejected claims that the Democratic Change Party (DCP) had outmanoeuvred UDA, saying the party would review its strategies where necessary while acknowledging that some political dynamics were beyond campaign tactics.

On reported attacks against journalists during the by-election, Omar claimed individuals had used the situation to settle personal scores.