Inside Ol Kalou's by-election final submissions

A campaign banner belonging to DCP Ol Kalou parliamentary candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau vandalised at Rwariondo in Ol Kalou. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Candidates in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election made their final submissions yesterday, concluding with rallies in Ngorika and at the Arboretum.

Samuel Muchina Nyagah, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, made his final submissions at Ngorika town while Sammy Douglas Ngotho Waweru held his final rally at the Arboretum.

Wilson Kigwa of Jubilee Party concluded his campaign at Kariam area in Ol Kalou.

As the candidates concluded their campaigns, residents raised concerns about what they described as growing intimidation ahead of the July 16 parliamentary mini-poll, saying no one should interfere with their right to choose their preferred candidate.

Speaking at Rwariondo, a resident, Miriam Wangui, alleged that campaign posters and banners belonging to some candidates were being torn down by armed individuals, creating fear among voters.

"The people destroying posters are carrying all manner of weapons, including rifles, and those guarding campaign banners are being chased away," she claimed.

DCP supporters march along the Ol Kalou–Nyahururu Road after the party's final campaign rally at the Arboretum grounds in Ol Kalou town. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The race, which began with nine candidates, has largely narrowed to a contest between President William Ruto's UDA candidate, Muchina, and the DCP candidate, Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, who is backed by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Wangui said residents had already made up their minds and would not be pressured into voting for a candidate they did not support.

"As voters, we know who we want to elect. Nobody should force us to vote for someone we don't want," she said.

She acknowledged that some residents had received money and other gifts during the campaign period but insisted such incentives would not influence how they cast their ballots.

"The vote belongs to us. We will decide who to elect," she added.

DCP supporters march along the Ol Kalou–Nyahururu Road after the party's final campaign rally at the Arboretum grounds in Ol Kalou town. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Wangui also questioned the presence of government officials and politicians from outside the constituency, saying local voters should be left to make their own decisions.

She further criticised the distribution of government-branded mattresses to residents while nearby health facilities were reportedly struggling with shortages, alleging that some patients were forced to share beds or sleep on the floor.

Another resident, Muthunga Mureithi, appealed to politicians to maintain peace, saying the by-election had generated the kind of tension usually associated with a General Election.

Eighty-four-year-old Moses Gitonga said many residents were living in fear because of armed individuals allegedly patrolling parts of the constituency.

"We don't want a system where people are ordered around. Residents are afraid because armed people are chasing others. These are not goons; they are police officers," he alleged.

Gitonga said he had never witnessed such a situation before and urged security agencies to address residents' concerns.

The concerns come as Amnesty International Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have also raised alarm over alleged electoral offences in the constituency.

In a statement, LSK President Charles Kanjama, SC, said the society was concerned by reports of voter inducement, intimidation, misuse of public resources and other practices that could undermine the credibility of the by-election.

He described the Ol Kalou contest as an important test of Kenya's commitment to free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 General Election.

LSK called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Public Service Commission (PSC), the National Police Service and other relevant agencies to investigate all reported electoral offences and prosecute anyone found responsible.

Amnesty International Kenya also urged authorities to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Executive Director George Morara said the people of Ol Kalou deserved to elect their leaders without coercion, intimidation or inducement.

The organisation called for investigations into allegations involving public officials, enforcement of campaign regulations, protection of journalists, human rights defenders and voters, and action against the destruction of campaign materials.

"Kenya cannot afford to normalise electoral malpractice. The credibility of the 2027 General Election begins with accountability in Ol Kalou. The State, together with all players in the political and electoral system, must act now to restore public trust and safeguard democracy," Amnesty said.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said preparations for Thursday's by-election had been completed.

The commission said training for presiding officers and deputy presiding officers was complete, while polling clerks were undergoing final training.

Ol Kalou Constituency has 73,480 registered voters spread across 144 polling stations in five wards: Rurii, Kanjuiri Ridge, Karau, Kaimbaga and Mirangine. The constituency tallying centre will be at Ol Kalou Secondary School Hall.

Returning Officer Anthony Njiraini said all logistical arrangements were in place.

"Plans are ready, and polling materials will be dispatched on Wednesday. Election officials will complete the final preparations at polling stations ahead of Thursday's vote," he said.

He also reminded political parties that campaigns must end within the legally prescribed period, warning that anyone found campaigning after the deadline would be committing an electoral offence.

As campaigns entered their final stretch, candidates fanned out across the constituency in a last-minute effort to win over undecided voters.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Bahati MP Irene Njoki, and Mogotio's Reuben Kiborek, among others, campaigned for UDA candidate Samuel Muchina.

At the same time, Nyandarua Senator John Methu led DCP rallies for Waweru.

Kigwa, the Jubilee Party candidate, ended his campaign in Kariam, Ol Kalou.