NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that vote counting is underway in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after polling closed in the majority of stations, with voter turnout reaching 50.78 per cent by 3:00 p.m.
In a status update released Thursday evening, the Commission said voting had proceeded largely peacefully, with only minimal incidents reported and resolved during the day.
“The Commission sincerely lauds people of Ol Kalou Constituency who turned up to vote. Minimal incidents were reported and resolved accordingly,” the statement said.
The IEBC noted that in polling stations where opening was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, the lost time was being compensated in accordance with electoral procedures.
Open counting process
The Commission said the Presiding Officer would open the ballot box after the close of polling at 5:00 p.m. and count the ballots in full view of agents, observers and the media.
To enhance transparency, agents present will be allowed to take photographs of the official results forms Form 35A, while copies of the forms will be displayed publicly at polling stations.
IEBC emphasized that results announced at the polling station are final.
Declaration of results
Returning Officers will receive results from all polling stations, verify and collate them before announcing constituency-level results and declaring the winner in the presence of agents and accredited stakeholders.
The Commission said only accredited persons with official identification badges would be allowed access to tallying centres to observe the verification and declaration process.
Violence condemned
The IEBC also condemned isolated incidents of violence, intimidation and disruption reported during voting.
“Elections are a democratic exercise, and no individual or group has the right to compromise the peace, safety, or integrity of the process,” the Commission said.
It warned polling officials that any breach of the Code of Conduct or the Elections Offences Act would attract disciplinary action.
Public urged to rely on official channels
The Commission urged the public to rely only on official IEBC communications and avoid sharing unverified information that could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
By-election results will be available on the Commission’s official results portal at forms.iebc.or.ke.
The Ol Kalou by-election has attracted significant political attention as parties seek to gauge their strength in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.