DCP Celebrations Hit Embu Town, Disrupt Traffic After Ol Kalou Victory

DCP Celebrations Hit Embu Town, Disrupt Traffic After Ol Kalou Victory

Embu Town’s business activities were disrupted on Friday morning as hundreds of youths and boda boda operators rushed to the streets to celebrate the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

The festivities brought traffic to a halt along the busy Embu-Meru Highway as motorbike riders hooted, waved party flags, and sang in praise of the people of Ol Kalou following the results of Thursday’s election.

DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho was declared the winner with 35,440 votes, defeating United Democratic Alliance (UDA) contender Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who received 5,450 votes.

The fiercely contested by-election attracted national attention and was widely viewed by political analysts as a key test of DCP leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s growing political influence.

The victory also handed the party its first seat in the National Assembly.

Embu town comes to a standstill as youths celebrate DCP’s Ol Kalou win pic.twitter.com/d5yhcmuRJr— Uzalendo News (@UzalendoNews_KE) July 18, 2026

The celebrations in Embu were led by local politician and youth leader James Ireri, popularly known as “Soldier”.

Ireri praised Ol Kalou residents for what he described as their determination to defend their democratic rights at the ballot despite alleged intimidation, threats and harassment during the campaign period.

“The level of maturity and commitment demonstrated by the people of Ol Kalou in protecting their vote was remarkable,” Ireri said.

“Despite the challenges they allegedly faced, they remained steadfast and ensured their voice was heard through the ballot.”

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Ireri further alleged that similar tactics had been witnessed during the Mbeere North by-election held in November last year.

Hundreds of youths and boda boda operators have brought business to a complete standstill in Embu Town this morning. The crowds flooded the streets to celebrate the DCP victory in Thursday’s highly contested Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.#WeekendAtOne pic.twitter.com/jPLQjqAKZD— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) July 18, 2026

He claimed that opposition supporters were intimidated by hooded armed police officers, an interference he argued denied the opposition victory.

He said the Ol Kalou outcome signalled the growing popularity of DCP across the country.

He also warned politicians still aligned to UDA that they risked losing elective seats in the 2027 General Election if the current political momentum continues.

“The DCP wave in the Mt Kenya region is unstoppable. We are confident the party will secure seats across all levels of leadership—from Members of County Assemblies to governors, senators, Members of Parliament and women representatives,” he stated.

Ireri also urged residents of the Mt Kenya region to remain united, accusing Public Works and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku of sponsoring political divisions in the region.

DCP Celebrations Hit Embu Town, Disrupt Traffic After Ol Kalou Victory