The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) completed the clearance process for the Ol-Kalou Parliamentary seat on Tuesday, approving nine candidates to contest.
The approved candidates include several newcomers to politics who will vie for the seat for the first time.
Four candidates received approval on Monday, with the remaining five being cleared on Tuesday during a peaceful and smooth process.
Rachel Wangui Njoroge stands as the sole female candidate, representing the People’s Democratic Party.
Sammy Kamau Ngotho, representing the DCP, submitted his nomination papers on Monday accompanied by numerous Members of Parliament.
Ngotho was accompanied by the party’s new Secretary General, John Methu, and Deputy Party Leader, Cleophas Malala.
Samuel Muchina, the UDA candidate, submitted his papers on Monday with a significant crowd, including Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, EALA MP Maina Karobia, and Leo Wamuthende (Mbere North).
Wilson Kigwa, running on the Jubilee party ticket, was accompanied by Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni and the party’s Nyandarua County Chairman, Sambigi Mukuria.
Muhia Njiraini, the Returning Officer for the Ol-Kalou By-election, conducted the clearance proceedings at the PCEA Church in Ol-Kalou town.
Njiraini described the clearance process as smooth, informing the approved candidates they could begin campaigning in the constituency until July 13, when the official campaign period concludes.
Among the lesser-known new candidates is Abdifatah Hussein of the Federal Party of Kenya.
Timothy Kariuki, a young candidate from the People’s Renaissance Movement, arrived on a donkey for clearance as a protest against high fuel costs.
‘I am proud to be the first Gen-Z candidate in the country, given our nationwide demonstrations,’ Kariuki stated.
‘I came by donkey because fuel has become too expensive; as a farmer, I couldn’t afford transportation,’ he added.
Edward Mathenge, nephew of the late MP David Kiaraho and an ICT expert with Kenya Moja Movement, was the fourth candidate to submit papers in the afternoon.
‘My candidacy is driven by the desire to empower youth and farmers in the constituency,’ Mathenge explained after clearance.
The candidates expressed their intention to follow in the footsteps of the late Kiaraho by focusing on developing schools, roads, and electricity.
Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka is another new candidate representing the National Liberal Party, while PNU has introduced newcomer Edwin Kariiri Muchiri.
The Ol-Kalou parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of David Kiaraho, who was serving his third term under the Jubilee ticket.
Kiaraho passed away in March and was buried in Tigoni, Limuru, within Kiambu County.