IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana has raised concern over voter bribery in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying the practice undermines the constitutional principles of free and fair elections.

Speaking during an interview on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Mukhwana said the commission was receiving reports from officers on the ground indicating that campaign teams were using cash and other material inducements to influence voters ahead of the July 16 by-election.

He said the commission remained committed to delivering a credible election and was investigating the reports to establish the full picture.

Mukhwana cited Article 81 of the Constitution on the general principles of elections and Article 10 on national values, saying voters must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights without interference.

“A free election assumes a character where the people exercise their free will,” he said. “It is not a free will if there is improper influence.”

He explained that improper influence under Kenyan law includes any action that prevents voters from making independent decisions at the ballot.

Vote buying under scrutiny

Mukhwana said information reaching the commission pointed to campaigners from different political sides using cash handouts, material inducements and other forms of influence during campaigns in Ol Kalou.

He noted that the reports had prompted investigations by IEBC officers deployed in the constituency.

The commission, he said, was concerned by the situation because electoral laws require voters to make their choices freely without coercion or inducement.

His remarks came as political leaders and parties continued raising concerns over the conduct of campaigns in the constituency.

The Linda Mwananchi movement, in a statement issued on Thursday, said IEBC procurement staff were under pressure to acquire an election management system designed to favour President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

The movement also criticised the commission over what it described as silence on the use of state resources during campaigns, citing the flagging off of LPG cylinder distribution by government officials, including Moses Kuria.

Electoral code concerns

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru also questioned enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Speaking during an interview on Kameme FM, Kamau said his campaign team had reported incidents of voter bribery conducted during the day as well as destruction of campaign billboards but had not seen action from the commission.

“We expected the code to be enforced,” Kamau said.

Mukhwana said the commission was saddened by the reports emerging from the constituency but assured Kenyans that investigations were ongoing and would provide a complete picture of the situation.

His remarks echoed an earlier briefing by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, who warned that the commission could postpone or cancel the July 16 by-election if electoral offences continued.

Ethekon cited widespread voter bribery in some areas and interference by state officials beyond their normal duties during the campaign period.

Political reactions

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in a Facebook post, said President Ruto had spent more than Ksh1 billion on voter bribes and Ksh10 billion on projects in the constituency before pushing for postponement of the by-election.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also criticised the commission, saying it should take action against individuals violating electoral laws instead of issuing general warnings affecting all parties.

The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election was occasioned by the death of MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.

The contest has attracted candidates from several political parties, including UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah and DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru.

With campaigns entering the final stretch before polling day, the IEBC says investigations into reported electoral offences are continuing as it monitors compliance with electoral laws and the Code of Conduct across the constituency.