Francis Mwangangi questions heavy campaign spending in Ol Kalou
By Faith Lagat, July 9, 2026Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has questioned the amount of money being spent in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying the campaign has been characterised by voter bribery and the use of public resources.
Speaking during a live television interview on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Mwangangi said the level of spending in the constituency had raised concerns over its influence on voters ahead of the July 16 poll.
The by-election was occasioned by the death of Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho and has attracted candidates led by UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru.
Mwangangi questioned how much campaign spending influences electoral outcomes.
“How much does money influence the voting patterns? Because we hear politics is quite expensive, especially when you factor in the demands from the electorate,” he said.
Campaign spending
Mwangangi referred to the recent Machakos by-election, saying senior government officials, including the President and Cabinet ministers, spent several days campaigning in the area.
“We told our people, eat these looted, stolen monies. But teach them a lesson. And that is what happened,” he said.
He said the situation unfolding in Ol Kalou reflected a similar trend.
“What is happening in Ol Kalou is pure bribery, aimed at influencing residents to vote for the government instead of voting with their conscience. What is the source of the money? We saw the same script during the Machakos by-election, with leaders camped on the ground and money being poured into the campaign. It is pure bribery, as simple as that,” he added.
Mwangangi also questioned the source of the campaign funds, referring to reports of high spending by political candidates during elections.
IEBC raises concern
His remarks came as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) continued to express concern over the conduct of campaigns in the constituency.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana have cited voter bribery, insecurity and interference by state officials as issues affecting preparations for the by-election.
“During the day, all seems well in Ol Kalou, but when nightfall comes, madness descends,” Mukhwana said.
Ethekon said the commission could postpone or cancel the election if the environment remained unsuitable for a credible poll.
“We will be left with no choice other than to take the most unfortunate and drastic step,” he said.
Political reactions
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna criticised the commission, saying it should enforce the law against those violating electoral rules instead of issuing general warnings.
“Everyone can see who is violating the law. The commission should punish those openly bribing voters and using state resources to campaign,” Sifuna said on X.
DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru also said complaints on voter bribery and destruction of campaign materials had not been acted upon despite political parties signing the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the government had spent more than Ksh1 billion on voter bribes and Ksh10 billion on development projects in the constituency.
The Linda Mwananchi movement also criticised the commission over the use of state resources during campaigns, citing the distribution of LPG cylinders in the constituency.
The Ol Kalou by-election is scheduled for July 16. Campaign activities continue as the IEBC monitors compliance with electoral laws and the Code of Conduct ahead of polling day.