The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has raised alarm over claimed attacks and voter intimidation in the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election, saying that armed groups disrupted the electoral process and targeted its agents and supporters in the early hours of voting day.

The heated contest, which has attracted national attention, is taking place in Emurua Dikirr Constituency where 44,353 registered voters are expected to elect a new Member of Parliament in a closely watched by-election.

The seat fell vacant following the death of former MP Johana Ngeno, who perished in a helicopter crash at Chepkiep village, Mosop Sub-county in Nandi County on February 28, alongside five other people.

The race has drawn five candidates: David Keter, alias Dollarline, of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA); Vincent Rotich of DCP; Gideon Koech of NVP; Desmas Cherono of PNU; and Kenneth Kiprono of the RLP.

The contest is widely viewed as a political showdown between President William Ruto’s UDA and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP, with both camps seeking to consolidate influence in the politically strategic Rift Valley region.

Speaking during an interview with a local television station on Thursday, May 14, 2026, DCP official Gilbert Malema claimed that incidents of violence erupted on the eve of the election and continued into the morning hours, disrupting voter participation in some areas.

Malema claimed that supporters of a rival political formation attempted to attack residents and election agents, leaving casualties who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

“The voters woke up very early in the morning. Voting is running smoothly, but yesterday evening, supporters tried to attack people at night. We have two people in the hospital. One was cut on the head, and another was attacked with a panga. Their hands were badly injured,” he said.

Claims of Violence and Intimidation

He further claimed that some DCP agents were blocked from accessing polling stations in certain areas, describing the situation as tense and chaotic.

“Some polling stations belonging to the opposing side were used to stop our agents from getting into the polling stations. We understand goons are everywhere in some polling stations, and police are heading there. Hopefully, in the next one hour or so, everything will be sorted out,” he stated.

Moreover, the DCP official claimed that in some strongholds, individuals attempted to intimidate residents in the early hours of the morning, although he said normal voting eventually resumed in several wards.

“In the morning, in some strongholds, people woke up at around 5:30 am, trying to turn people’s houses and create tension, but they were nowhere later. Otherwise, voting is going on smoothly,” he stated.

He added that in some polling stations, party agents were initially absent due to security concerns, but noted that police intervention was expected to restore order.

“Reporting is still going on at Chimitei, but our agents are not there. I think police are on their way and in the next four to five minutes they will be there at the polling station,” he said.

Election officials had earlier dispatched ballot materials on Monday, May 11, 2026, evening from Emurua Dikirr Technical Training Institute to 94 polling stations across the constituency to ensure a smooth voting process.

The by-election is being closely monitored due to its political implications, with analysts describing it as a key test of strength between President Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua ahead of future national political alignments.

Ruto is seeking to solidify his grip on his Rift Valley stronghold, while Gachagua’s allies are attempting to expand influence in the region by tapping into local grievances.

Despite the accusations of isolated violence, election officials maintain that voting has largely proceeded in an orderly manner in most areas, with security agencies deployed to prevent further escalation.