IEBC: Ol Kalou by-election progressing smoothly
By Emmanuel Rono, July 16, 2026The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that voting in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election is progressing smoothly, with voter turnout reaching 38.2 per cent of registered voters by 1 p.m. on Thursday.
In a status update on Thursday, July 16, 2026, the electoral agency said polling across the constituency was proceeding as planned and urged eligible voters who had not yet cast their ballots to turn out before polling stations closed.
“The Commission is pleased to announce to the country that the scheduled by-election to fill the vacant position of Member of National Assembly for Ol Kalou Constituency is progressing well as planned,” IEBC said.
The Commission also appealed to political parties, candidates, agents, the media and voters to uphold peace and comply with the law throughout the electoral process.
It cautioned all stakeholders against actions that could undermine the secrecy or integrity of the vote, saying maintaining a peaceful environment during and after polling remains critical to a credible election.
IEBC further assured the public that it would continue providing regular updates on the progress of the by-election as voting and subsequent electoral processes continue.
Call for participation
IEBC has further urged voters in Ol Kalou Constituency to come out in large numbers and peacefully exercise their democratic right as polling continues in the parliamentary by-election.
In an earlier statement, the electoral agency encouraged residents to participate in the electoral process by voting for their preferred candidate while assuring them of access to accurate and verified election information through its official platforms.
“To all voters in Ol Kalou by-election: your participation matters. We encourage you to turn out in large numbers and peacefully exercise your democratic right and vote in your preferred candidate,” IEBC said
Opposition on by-election progress
The update from the IEBC comes as the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua accuses unnamed rogue police officers and leaders allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of plotting to disrupt voting in the Ol Kalou by-election, urging security agencies to act swiftly to prevent violence.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Gachagua claimed that plainclothes police officers were being used to interfere with the electoral process, warning that they posed the greatest security threat.
“Bwana IG, I told you that rogue police officers in plain clothes are your weakest link. They are the source of insecurity in the country,” Gachagua said, adding that he had previously called for their withdrawal from Ol Kalou.
“Having sensed defeat, UDA-allied MPs are allegedly meeting with rogue police officers to storm major polling stations, disrupt voting, and stuff ballot boxes,” he claimed