OL KALOU, Kenya-The government has intensified electricity connectivity projects across villages in Ol Kalou Constituency as campaigning gathers pace ahead of the July 16 parliamentary by-election, with fresh power infrastructure being rolled out in several areas.
Former Senior Economic Advisor to President William Ruto, Moses Kuria, on Monday toured Kidawa Village in Rurii Ward to inspect the progress of an ongoing rural electrification project and meet residents.
“Electricity storm at Kidawa Village, Rurii Ward, Ol Kalou Constituency, checking on the progress of the ongoing electricity project and engaging with residents,” Kuria posted on social media.
The latest project follows a series of high-profile government initiatives launched in the constituency in recent weeks, including the distribution of subsidised LPG cooking kits to 20,000 households, free mattresses and other community support programmes, as the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) campaigns to retain the parliamentary seat.
Residents say hundreds of electricity poles have already been erected in villages across the constituency as Kenya Power and other implementing agencies accelerate power connectivity works ahead of the mini-poll.
The Ol Kalou by-election was triggered by the death of long-serving MP David Kiaraho and has emerged as one of the country’s most closely watched political contests, with UDA fielding Samuel Muchina against candidates backed by rival parties.
Kuria has previously described the contest as a test of the government’s development record ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The scale and timing of the projects have, however, sparked debate among political observers and residents.
Critics argue that the concentration of government-funded development projects and distribution of household items during the campaign period risks blurring the line between legitimate public service delivery and electioneering.
Some have questioned whether the initiatives could amount to voter inducement, although no electoral body has formally ruled that the projects violate Kenya’s election laws.
The government has rejected such criticism.
Kuria has maintained that the projects are part of ongoing national development programmes and should not be viewed as campaign spending.
Responding to claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the government had poured billions of shillings into the constituency to influence voters, Kuria said the investments were long-term development projects worth more than Sh10 billion rather than election-related expenditure.