UDA Event Turns Into Anti-Ruto Protest as Youths Chant ‘Ruto Must Go’ in Ol Kalou

A political storm is brewing in Nyandarua County after a UDA-linked event held yesterday in Ol Kalou descended into anti-government chants, exposing what many observers believe could be growing frustration within a region that overwhelmingly backed President William Ruto in the 2022 General Election.

The dramatic scenes unfolded on Sunday evening during a homecoming and thanksgiving event organized by local musician and political mobilizer Paul Wang’ang’a in the Gathiga area of Ol Kalou. The gathering, which was expected to celebrate Wang’ang’a’s recent political alignment with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), instead transformed into an unexpected display of public dissent.

Videos widely shared on social media show hundreds of mostly young people singing, dancing, and repeatedly chanting “Ruto Must Go” while waving their phones in the air. The chants reportedly erupted as popular protest songs played through the event’s entertainment system, creating a scene that few would have expected at a function associated with the ruling party.

What has made the incident particularly significant is that it did not occur at an opposition rally or during a gathering organized by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s camp. Instead, it happened at an event linked to supporters of the Kenya Kwanza administration in one of the regions that played a critical role in delivering President Ruto’s victory at the polls.

The incident has fueled widespread debate online, with supporters and critics of the government offering different interpretations. Some have described the chants as a sign of growing dissatisfaction over issues such as the high cost of living, rising fuel prices, increased taxation, and other economic challenges affecting ordinary Kenyans. Others have cautioned against reading too much into a single event, arguing that isolated incidents do not necessarily reflect broader voter sentiment.

Adding to the controversy are allegations that some attendees had been mobilized to attend the gathering with promises of financial incentives. Claims circulating on social media suggest that some youths expected larger amounts of money but allegedly received less than anticipated. While these allegations remain unverified, they have become part of the larger political conversation surrounding the incident.

The timing of the event is particularly important because it comes as political campaigns intensify ahead of the highly anticipated Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. The seat fell vacant following the death of long-serving MP David Kiaraho, setting the stage for what has become one of the most closely watched political contests in the country.

The by-election has evolved into far more than a local parliamentary race. It is increasingly being viewed as a political showdown between President William Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has been aggressively rebuilding his political influence in the Mt Kenya region since his impeachment and removal from office.

UDA has fronted Samuel Muchina Nyaga as its candidate and has deployed some of its most influential leaders to campaign in the constituency. Senior government allies, including Cabinet Secretaries, governors, and other political figures, have been rallying support for the ruling party candidate while emphasizing development projects and government achievements.

On the other side, Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has thrown its support behind Sammy Kamau Ngotho. The former Deputy President has personally invested significant political capital in the race, framing it as an opportunity for Mt Kenya voters to send a message to the Kenya Kwanza administration. His allies have repeatedly described the by-election as a referendum on President Ruto’s leadership and the government’s performance.

Political analysts believe the outcome of the contest could provide an early indication of the political mood in the region ahead of the 2027 General Election. For President Ruto, a strong performance by the UDA candidate would reinforce his continued influence in Mt Kenya. For Gachagua, victory would strengthen his claim that he remains the region’s most influential political figure despite his removal from office.

Yesterday’s events in Ol Kalou are therefore likely to intensify political competition between the two camps. The images of youths chanting anti-government slogans at a UDA-linked event have already become powerful political ammunition for opposition figures seeking to portray the ruling party as losing support in one of its traditional strongholds.

As campaigns gather momentum in the coming weeks, both camps are expected to increase their presence in Nyandarua. What began as a local by-election has now evolved into a high-stakes political battle with implications that stretch far beyond Ol Kalou.

For now, the chants that echoed through the Sunday night gathering have added a fresh layer of intrigue to an already heated political contest and raised new questions about the state of politics in the Mt Kenya region as the country slowly begins its journey toward the 2027 elections.