Malala urges Ol Kalou voters to guard their ballots after polling
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, July 16, 2026Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has urged voters in the Ol Kalou by-election to remain vigilant after casting their ballots, saying they should stay near polling stations to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Speaking as voting got underway on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Malala encouraged residents to exercise their democratic right before remaining outside polling stations to monitor the process.
“This is your day. When you cast your vote, you have the right to go outside the polling station and wait. There is a narrative that you should cast your vote and go home. We cannot trust this government or the police. We are going to guard our votes,” Malala said.
His remarks come amid heightened political tension surrounding the Ol Kalou by-election, which has attracted national attention due to the fierce contest between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition-backed DCP candidate.
Malala maintained that voters have a constitutional right to remain outside polling stations after voting, provided they do not interfere with the electoral process or breach election laws. He said the presence of voters would help promote transparency and boost public confidence in the outcome of the poll.
Voting kicks off
Voting began at 6:00 a.m. across polling stations in the constituency and is scheduled to end at 5:00 p.m., with voters who are in the queue by the closing time expected to be allowed to cast their ballots. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has urged voters to remain peaceful and follow election regulations throughout the exercise.
Security agencies have also deployed officers across the constituency to maintain law and order as residents elect their new Member of Parliament. Election officials have called on all stakeholders to respect the law and allow the electoral process to proceed without disruption.
The by-election has been marked by intense campaigns, with both UDA and DCP leaders making repeated visits to the constituency in the run-up to the vote. The contest is widely viewed as a key political test for both sides ahead of the 2027 general election.