The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election could be postponed if violence, voter intimidation and breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct continue in the constituency.
The by-election, scheduled for July 16, 2026, was called following the death of Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho.
Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, July 9, 2026, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission was closely monitoring the security situation amid reports of escalating political tensions.
Ethekon said the commission had received reports of clashes between rival supporters, destruction of campaign materials, allegations of voter bribery and the mobilisation of groups linked to political violence.
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“We might postpone the Ol Kalou by-election if the situation continues to threaten the credibility and safety of the electoral process,” Ethekon said, warning that the commission would not hesitate to take action if conditions fail to improve.
The IEBC boss said the commission was alarmed by the violence witnessed during campaigns, revealing that one person was killed during a confrontation on the night of July 1, 2026.
“Daytime, the place is peaceful. At night, madness descends. And on 1st July, sadly, such a confrontation late in the night resulted in the death of one person,” he said.
The IEBC chairperson further raised concern over widespread allegations of voter bribery and claims that some state officials were interfering with the campaigns.
“In some outlets, the scale of bribery is massive. We have also been alerted of the presence of state officials in Ol Kalou, which is not a problem as long as they are doing their ordinary duties. But where they are there to interfere, that is also very unfortunate. These small incidents are a precursor of what is likely to happen in 2027,” he said.
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The warning comes as campaigns enter the final stretch in a tightly contested race dominated by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
UDA has fielded Samuel Muchina, while DCP is fronting Sammy Kamau, with nine other candidates also cleared by the IEBC to contest the seat.
The possibility of a postponement has further heightened political tensions, with leaders trading accusations over the conduct of the campaigns.
