MP Gakuya demands IEBC-police coordination, warns of action if Ol Kalou vote is compromised
By Mustafa Juma, July 14, 2026Embakasi North Member of Parliament (MP) James Gakuya has called for close coordination between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the National Police Service (NPS) to safeguard the integrity of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Speaking during a televised interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Gakuya warned that opposition supporters will closely monitor the voting process to prevent any interference.
He said the electoral agency and the police must work together to guarantee a free, fair, and verifiable election at every polling station.
“We want free, fair, and verifiable mechanisms for the Ol Kalou by-election. There must be collaboration between the IEBC Chairman and the Inspector General of Police to ensure a conducive environment at every polling station. This must be guaranteed; otherwise, we will be at the polling stations to prevent intruders from disrupting the process,” Gakuya said.
His remarks add to the growing political tension surrounding the Ol Kalou constituency by-election, which has increasingly been viewed as an early test of political strength between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Heightened political tensions
The Ol Kalou contest has attracted intense national attention, with senior leaders from both UDA and DCP conducting aggressive campaigns in the constituency over recent weeks.
The campaigns, however, have been overshadowed by reports of violence, voter bribery, intimidation and destruction of campaign materials.
Last week, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon publicly expressed concern over escalating electoral offences in the constituency, warning that continued violence could force the Commission to postpone or even cancel the by-election if the situation deteriorated further.
The electoral commission cited allegations of voter inducement, campaigns conducted outside the legally prescribed hours, destruction of property and incidents of violence that reportedly resulted in the loss of life.
Rights groups raise alarm
The by-election has also drawn scrutiny from human rights organisations.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) recently condemned what it described as escalating electoral malpractice, citing reports of organised attacks by hired gangs, gunshots, voter intimidation, unlawful night campaigns and alleged misuse of state resources during the campaigns.
The Commission called on IEBC, police and political parties to uphold constitutional principles and ensure every voter can exercise their democratic rights without fear or coercion.
KNCHR has since deployed election monitors to Ol Kalou to observe the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the immediate post-election period.
Opposition demands credible poll
Gakuya’s remarks echo similar concerns raised by several opposition leaders, who have accused state agencies of failing to provide a level playing field during the campaigns.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has repeatedly urged IEBC not to interfere with the electoral process and warned against any attempt to postpone the by-election, insisting that residents should be allowed to elect their preferred candidate freely.
Other opposition politicians, including Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, have also expressed concern over the violence witnessed during the campaigns, urging security agencies to act impartially and bring those responsible to justice.
With campaigns now concluded, attention has shifted to the conduct of polling and vote tallying.
Security agencies have pledged to maintain law and order during the exercise, while IEBC has assured voters that it remains committed to delivering a transparent, credible and peaceful election despite heightened political temperatures.