NAIROBI, Kenya- Amnesty International Kenya has strongly condemned what it described as widespread violence, voter intimidation and attacks on journalists during the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, calling for independent investigations and accountability for those responsible.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the human rights organisation alleged that armed and masked individuals disrupted the electoral process, describing the incidents as a serious threat to Kenya’s constitutional democracy.
The organisation said it had, days before the poll, warned of alleged voter inducement, campaign violence and the partisan deployment of public administrators, urging electoral and investigative agencies to intervene.
According to Amnesty International Kenya, those concerns were not adequately addressed before polling day.
Calls for investigation into reported death
The organisation expressed condolences to the family of James Muigai Mwathi, who it said died after sustaining injuries during the violence.
Amnesty called for a swift, impartial and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The organisation also condemned reported attacks against journalists covering the election, alleging that several media practitioners were assaulted and robbed by armed gangs while police officers failed to intervene.
Among those named by Amnesty were Jafferson Mwangi, Mary Mwathi, Elisha Gatuu, Martin Wacera, Caroline Wachira, Enos Teche, Bridgette Ngana, George Kieru, Fiona Akinyi and Dickson Matakwa.
It argued that the reported attacks undermined Article 34 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees freedom and independence of the media.
Concerns over election security
Amnesty further alleged that armed individuals used teargas and live ammunition to disperse voters at AC Primary School and Ol Kalou Comprehensive School, raising concerns about the conduct of security operations during the by-election.
The organisation said the reported incidents pointed to either serious failures in policing or possible complicity, allegations that have not been independently verified.
Demands to state agencies
Amnesty International Kenya called on several government institutions to take immediate action, including:
- The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the conduct of police officers during the by-election and establish the identities of the armed individuals allegedly involved.
- The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to investigate and prosecute anyone found responsible for violence, voter intimidation or electoral offences.
- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to provide a public account of the security response during the by-election.
- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct against any parties or candidates found to have violated electoral laws.
Warning ahead of the 2027 General Election
Amnesty International Kenya described the Ol Kalou by-election as a warning sign ahead of the 2027 General Election, cautioning that unresolved electoral violence could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
The organisation stressed that Article 38 of the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to free, fair and regular elections conducted by secret ballot and free from violence, intimidation and improper influence.
At the time of publication, the National Police Service, the IEBC and the Interior Ministry had not publicly responded to the specific allegations contained in Amnesty International Kenya’s statement.
Authorities have previously stated that investigations into incidents reported during the Ol Kalou by-election are ongoing.