NAIROBI, Kenya- Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to uphold transparency and impartiality, saying any decision affecting the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election must strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Friday, Muturi said although the Constitution grants the IEBC the mandate to manage elections, its powers must be exercised transparently, reasonably and in a manner that safeguards electoral integrity.
“The Commission’s position raises an important constitutional question. If the IEBC can postpone a by-election under the circumstances it has cited, what safeguards exist to ensure that similar reasoning cannot be relied upon in relation to a General Election?” Muturi said.
He argued that elections are a constitutional process involving voters, political parties, candidates, observers, civil society, security agencies, the media and the Judiciary, and therefore major electoral decisions should be guided by accountability and stakeholder engagement.
Muturi said the opposition would continue scrutinising decisions that could affect Kenyans’ constitutional right to elect their leaders freely, fairly and on time, adding that the electoral calendar must remain predictable and credible.
His statement follows remarks by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon that the commission could postpone the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election if violence and breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct continue.
Ethekon cited reports of violent confrontations, destruction of campaign materials, alleged voter bribery, late-night campaigns and the mobilisation of gangs as factors that could force the commission to invoke its constitutional powers to defer the poll.
The Ol Kalou contest, called following the death of former MP David Kiaraho, has become one of the country’s most closely watched political races.
It has been marked by allegations of voter bribery, political violence and misuse of public resources, with both the government and opposition trading accusations.
The IEBC has repeatedly urged candidates and their supporters to comply with the Electoral Code of Conduct and warned that electoral offences could attract sanctions.
Despite the warning, the commission has not announced any change to the election timetable, and the by-election remains scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, according to the official election notice.