NAIROBI, Kenya- Everything is in place for Thursday’s high-stakes Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirming that all election materials have been dispatched and polling officials are ready ahead of voting day.
The by-election, scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, will see voters in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County, elect a new Member of the National Assembly following the death of former MP David Kiaraho earlier this year.
In its final preparedness update, the IEBC said the distribution of election materials to polling officials had been completed and all logistical arrangements finalized to ensure a smooth voting exercise.
The commission urged voters to turn out early and reminded them to carry either their national identity card or a valid Kenyan passport, which are the only documents that will be accepted for voter identification.
Tight Security Ahead of Poll
Security agencies have also declared their readiness, with more than 1,000 police officers deployed across the constituency to safeguard the election.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said officers will be stationed at all polling stations, while additional personnel from the General Service Unit (GSU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have been deployed to respond to any incidents and investigate electoral offences.
The deployment follows heightened political tensions during the campaign period, which was marked by isolated incidents of violence and accusations exchanged between rival political camps.
Campaigns End
Campaigns officially ended at midnight on Tuesday, ushering in the mandatory cooling-off period before polling begins.
The race has largely been framed as a contest between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), although a total of nine candidates are on the ballot.
Political analysts have described the by-election as an early test of political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The campaigns attracted senior political leaders from across the political divide, including Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Parliament and governors, turning the Nyandarua constituency into one of the country’s most closely watched political battlegrounds.
Allegations and Counterclaims
The final days of campaigning were overshadowed by allegations of voter bribery, political violence and intimidation.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua wrote to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, alleging there were plans to manipulate the election through delayed opening of polling stations, intimidation of voters and misuse of security officers. He urged the commission to ensure the poll is free, fair and transparent.
Separately, EALA MP Kanini Kega reported to police after alleging that armed men attempted to abduct him following campaign activities in the constituency.
The IEBC has maintained that it is fully prepared to conduct a credible election and has urged all political actors to respect the law and allow voters to exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
Voter Reminders
The electoral commission has reminded voters that:
- Polling stations will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m.
- Voters must present a national ID card or valid passport before voting.
- Taking photographs of marked ballot papers is an electoral offence punishable by law.
- Campaigning is prohibited during the cooling-off period and on polling day.
A Key Test for IEBC
The Ol Kalou by-election is the first major parliamentary contest to be conducted under the reconstituted IEBC and is expected to provide an important measure of the commission’s readiness ahead of the 2027 General Election.
With election materials in place, polling officials trained and security agencies on standby, all eyes will be on Ol Kalou as residents head to the polls to elect their new representative in the National Assembly.