George Wambugu Rejects Ol Kalou UDA Primaries Result, Alleges Rigging and Voter Bribery

A fierce dispute has erupted in Ol Kalou after UDA candidate George Wambugu rejected the party's primary results, alleging widespread rigging, cash bribes, and the misuse of over 500 national ID cards — throwing the ruling party's preparations for the July 16 by-election into uncertainty.

Samuel Muchina Nyagah, a former aide to the late MP David Kiaraho, was declared winner with 3,221 votes. 

Wambugu, popularly known as Delight, finished a close second with 3,077 — a razor-thin margin of just 144 votes. Nine other candidates trailed far behind.

Wambugu claims the process was deliberately manipulated to favor Nyagah. He alleges that voters received cash handouts and that officials improperly used over 500 national ID cards during the exercise. 

He has announced plans to file a formal complaint with UDA's Electoral and Nomination Dispute Resolution Committee (ENDRC).

The party, however, has stood by the results. UDA issued Nyagah a nomination certificate at Mumbi Primary School, insisting that electronic tablets used instead of paper ballots ensured transparency. Candidates were advised to lodge complaints within 24 hours for review.

The Ol Kalou seat fell vacant after Kiaraho's death on March 29, 2026. The IEBC has scheduled the by-election for July 16.

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), led by Rigathi Gachagua, is expected to field a strong candidate. If Wambugu pursues the dispute to the courts or tribunal, UDA's campaign could be severely complicated.

With fraud allegations escalating and a competitive by-election looming, UDA faces an internal crisis that opposition parties are already watching closely, and preparing to exploit.