NAIROBI, Kenya- The Linda Mwananchi movement has cancelled a planned political rally in Ol Kalou ahead of the July 16 parliamentary by-election, alleging there were plans to disrupt the event and trigger violence.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisers said the rally would instead be held in Nyahururu Town, arguing that the change of venue was intended to deny those allegedly planning to cause unrest an opportunity to derail the by-election.
The movement claimed it had received intelligence that plainclothes police officers and hired gangs had been mobilised from Kiambu, Murang’a and Nakuru counties to attack its convoy during the planned tour of Ol Kalou. It did not provide evidence to support the allegations.
“Police squads without uniform and goons have been mobilized from parts of Kiambu, Murang’a and Nakuru, and deployed to attack the Linda Mwananchi convoy along the trail during their tour of Ol Kalou,” the statement said.
The organisers further alleged that the violence would then be used as justification to postpone the by-election.
“The strategy is to use Linda Mwananchi acts of self-defense against violent attacks as the excuse to declare a state of siege, necessitating the postponement of the by-election,” the statement added.
The movement said it would not provide an opportunity for individuals intent on disrupting peace and insisted that ensuring the by-election proceeds as scheduled was its priority.
“As we believe that holding the by-election without any delay and defeating the UDA kakistocracy is the overwhelming desire of the people of Ol Kalou and Kenyans at large, Linda Mwananchi will instead tour Nyahururu tomorrow and render the nefarious and sinister plans by IEBC and the Ruto administration impossible to achieve,” the statement said.
The cancellation comes amid heightened political tensions in Ol Kalou, where campaigns have been marked by allegations of voter bribery, misuse of state resources and political intimidation.
Earlier this week, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) warned that the by-election could be postponed if violence and breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct persisted. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon cited reports of violent confrontations, destruction of campaign materials, alleged voter bribery, late-night campaigns and the mobilisation of gangs as concerns that could affect the integrity of the poll.
The Linda Mwananchi movement has repeatedly accused the government of using public resources and development projects to influence voters in the constituency. The government has denied the allegations, maintaining that the projects are part of ongoing development programmes and not linked to the election.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of former MP David Kiaraho. The contest has attracted nine candidates, with the opposition backing Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru-Ngotho against the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah.
The organisers also urged Ol Kalou residents to reject voter inducement and turn out to vote on July 16, expressing confidence that the electorate would make its choice independently.