NAIROBI, Kenya- Campaigns for the hotly contested Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election officially end at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, ushering in the mandatory 48-hour campaign silence ahead of polling day on Thursday, July 16.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reminded candidates, political parties and their supporters that no campaign activities will be permitted after the deadline, in line with the electoral calendar and the Elections Act.
The by-election has been one of the most fiercely contested mini-polls in recent years, drawing intense campaigns from the Kenya Kwanza coalition and opposition-backed candidates.
In recent weeks, the constituency has witnessed a series of incidents ranging from allegations of voter bribery and distribution of cash handouts to violent confrontations, destruction of campaign materials, night campaigns and claims of the mobilisation of gangs.
The rising tensions prompted IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon last week to warn that the commission could postpone or even cancel the by-election if the security situation and breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct continued to threaten the integrity of the vote.
Among the violations cited by the commission were voter bribery, violence, destruction of campaign materials and illegal campaign activities outside the prescribed hours.
In the lead-up to the campaign deadline, the IEBC also took enforcement action against several politicians accused of violating the Electoral Code of Conduct, including summoning Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria and fining Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia over separate incidents linked to the Ol Kalou campaigns.
Despite the concerns, the electoral commission has confirmed that the by-election will proceed as scheduled on July 16 and urged all stakeholders to respect the campaign silence period.
It has reminded voters to carry either their original national identity card or a valid Kenyan passport to their designated polling stations in order to cast their ballots.
Security agencies have assured residents that adequate personnel have been deployed across the constituency to maintain peace before, during and after the election, while warning politicians and supporters against engaging in violence, voter intimidation or any other electoral offences.