The Jubilee Party and the DCP party have clashed over who should field a candidate in the upcoming Olkalou parliamentary by-election.
The by-election follows the death of Olkalou MP David Kiaraho, who was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket in the 2022 General Election. Jubilee insists that the seat rightfully belongs to them and should be retained by the former ruling party.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, April 11, the party’s Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni urged other Opposition parties to step aside in support of the party’s candidate, and Jubilee would nominate a candidate committed to advancing the late Kiaraho’s development agenda.
However, the remarks appear to have unsettled the DCP, whose members have dismissed Jubilee’s claim to the seat.
Top Party officials argue that Rigathi Gachagua and DCP enjoy greater popularity in Olkalou and the wider Nyandarua County, and that handing the ticket to Jubilee would weaken the Opposition’s chances against President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate.
According to DCP insiders, the party believes that only a strong, locally popular candidate can prevent UDA from securing an easy victory.
They say the minipoll is critical and are urging the United Opposition coalition to rally behind their nominee if it is serious about defeating Ruto’s camp.
Meanwhile, Peter Munya’s Party of National Unity (PNU) and Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP) are reportedly leaning toward supporting Jubilee’s candidate.
In contrast, Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party (DP) has suggested that the Opposition should back whichever party commands the most support in Olkalou.
