Kindiki Urges Mt Kenya to Stay United as Infotrak Warns Over Fake Poll

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called for unity in the Mt Kenya region, saying efforts to divide its political support will not succeed. 

Speaking in Embu, he also urged residents not to read too much into the outcome of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. Addressing celebrations marking the 36th anniversary of the ACK Diocese of Embu, Kindiki said unity remains essential to the region’s progress. 

He made the remarks while presiding over a fundraiser for the Diocese’s Business Complex, where he encouraged residents to reject divisive politics. The Deputy President said the Ol Kalou by-election should be viewed as a local contest rather than a measure of national political strength. He maintained that the Government’s record on development would have a greater influence on voters than political attacks.

“It was not a presidential election so there is no problem because the voters chose their MP. Elections for President will be done next year and we are ready for it,” he said.

Kindiki compared the current political climate to the 2013 General Election, when former President Uhuru Kenyatta and then Deputy President William Ruto won despite facing international legal challenges. He argued that the administration’s investment in infrastructure and public services would strengthen its position ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He pointed to several projects in Embu County, including road construction, water schemes worth more than KSh5 billion, electricity expansion and the construction of a new Level 5 hospital, as evidence of the Government’s development agenda.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire supported the Deputy President’s remarks, saying her cooperation with President Ruto’s administration had brought significant development to the county since 2022. 

Kindiki praised her approach and warned that supporting the opposition could leave the region politically isolated. He also said Mt Kenya’s best opportunity to regain the presidency would come through backing Ruto’s administration and a future succession plan.

Separately, research firm Infotrak rejected a fake opinion poll that circulated online before the Ol Kalou by-election. The fabricated survey, dated 11 July, claimed that UDA candidate Samuel Nyagu had 54.6 percent support, ahead of Democracy for Citizens Party candidate Sammy Douglas. Infotrak said it had neither conducted nor authorised the poll and urged the public to ignore the false figures.

“A poll currently circulating online regarding the Ol Kalou Member of Parliament by-election is NOT from our organisation,” the firm said. 

It advised Kenyans to rely only on information published through its official platforms. The false poll was contradicted by the official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Democracy for Citizens Party candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru won the seat with 35,440 votes, while Nyagu received 5,450. Candidates from Jubilee and the National Liberal Party finished well behind the two leading contenders.

Infotrak’s statement highlights concerns about the spread of false information during election campaigns as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election. The firm said misleading material presented as legitimate polling can influence public opinion and weaken confidence in the electoral process.