He rode a donkey to vote! 5 things you didn’t know about Timothy Kamau Kariuki

As Kenyans headed to polling stations on Thursday, July 16, 2026, to elect a new Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou Constituency, one candidate once again stole the spotlight after arriving to cast his ballot aboard a donkey.

Timothy Kamau Kariuki, a youthful parliamentary hopeful contesting on the People’s Renaissance Movement (PRM) ticket, turned heads after riding the same donkey he used throughout his campaigns to Kieni Primary School, where he voted. The unusual arrival quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the by-election, with videos of the candidate making rounds on social media.

While much of the attention has focused on the donkey, there is far more to Kariuki’s campaign than his unconventional mode of transport.

1. He is one of the youngest candidates in the race

At just 26 years old, Timothy Kamau Kariuki has positioned himself as one of the youngest politicians seeking elective office in the country.

Often described as a Gen Z candidate, Kariuki has built his campaign around presenting himself as a fresh alternative to established politicians, saying young people should stop complaining and instead actively seek leadership opportunities.

2. The donkey has become the symbol of his entire campaign

Kariuki’s appearance at the polling station was not a publicity stunt.

The donkey has accompanied him throughout the campaign, including when he submitted his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in May.

Speaking after casting his vote, the candidate maintained that the donkey has been his primary means of transport across all five wards in the constituency.

“I have come with my donkey, which is my car,” he said, adding that it is the vehicle he has relied on during the entire campaign.

3. He says the donkey represents ordinary Kenyans

According to Kariuki, his choice of transport reflects the harsh economic realities many Kenyans face.

He has repeatedly said rising fuel prices made it difficult for him to rely on a motor vehicle and that the donkey better represents the struggles of ordinary wananchi.

In one light-hearted moment after arriving to vote, Kariuki joked that allowing the donkey to graze near the polling station was simply him “refuelling his vehicle.”

4. His humble campaign attracted national attention

Despite representing a smaller political party, Kariuki’s grassroots campaign has drawn support beyond Nyandarua County.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi publicly campaigned for him during the race, saying he was inspired by the young aspirant’s decision to use a donkey throughout his campaign.

Amisi said Kariuki’s story reminded him of his own political beginnings and praised the candidate for choosing to seek leadership rather than complain about the country’s challenges.

5. He is contesting in one of Kenya’s most closely watched by-elections

Although Kariuki has captured national attention with his unique campaign style, he faces an uphill task in a contest widely viewed as a straight battle between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

The by-election was called following the death of longtime MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, with nine candidates cleared to vie for the seat.

Political observers have largely focused on the contest between UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah and DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho, making Kariuki one of the race’s biggest outsiders despite his growing popularity online.

Why the Ol Kalou by-election matters

The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election has attracted nationwide attention because it is being viewed as an early political test ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Beyond choosing a new MP, analysts see the vote as an important measure of political strength in the Mount Kenya region, with both the ruling UDA and the opposition-backed DCP investing heavily in the race. Voting is taking place across 144 polling stations serving more than 73,000 registered voters, with security heightened throughout the constituency following weeks of intense campaigns.

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