NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that next week’s Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election could be postponed or even cancelled if violence, voter bribery and other electoral offences continue to threaten the integrity of the poll.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the 2022 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution Report and Case Digest, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the Commission had deployed an investigative team to examine allegations of voter bribery, intimidation, violence and attempts by political leaders to unduly influence voters.
Ethekon said the Commission remained prepared to conduct the July 16 by-election but stressed that the election would only proceed if the environment remained conducive for a free, fair and credible poll.
“If we find that the environment is not conducive enough for us to conclude the by-election in Ol Kalou, we will be left with no choice other than to take the unfortunate and drastic step of postponing the election. If that is not enough, we will cancel it altogether,” he said.
The IEBC chairperson said the Commission had received reports of voter bribery, gun-related violence and night campaigns, all of which constitute serious breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
He warned that candidates found culpable could face sanctions, including disqualification from the race.
“If we find any culpability or any breaches of the code of conduct, the proper remedies shall apply, including disqualifying some of those candidates, if not all of them, who are involved,” Ethekon said.
He added that the Commission would continue working with security agencies and other stakeholders to assess the prevailing security situation before making any decision on whether the election should proceed as scheduled.
The warning comes amid heightened political tensions in the Nyandarua constituency, where campaigns have been marred by accusations of violence and intimidation.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently alleged that security officers and state-sponsored groups targeted supporters of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), claiming several campaigners had been assaulted and arrested.
Gachagua also accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of deploying individuals to disrupt the party’s campaign activities.
Murkomen dismissed the allegations, instead warning politicians against inciting violence during the campaigns and urging all parties to uphold peace ahead of the poll.
The July 16 by-election has attracted several candidates, with the contest largely seen as a battle between DCP candidate Kamau Ngotho and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Nyaga.
The campaign has also drawn national attention following accusations by the opposition that senior government officials have been touring the constituency to launch development projects, including road works and the distribution of subsidised cooking gas cylinders, claims they argue amount to the use of state resources to influence voters.
The IEBC has maintained that it will take appropriate action against any individual or candidate found to have violated electoral laws, reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the credibility and integrity of the electoral process ahead of polling day.