IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana has defended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over its handling of complaints arising from the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying the commission is following legal procedures before taking action.

Speaking during an interview on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Mukhwana said the commission was neither silent nor condoning reported electoral offences but was ensuring investigations met the required legal threshold.

“Maybe an impression has been created that IEBC has been quiet, IEBC has been condoning these incidents, far from it,” he said.

“What has been happening is that we are methodical, we are procedural and we undertake lawful procedures to make sure that by the time we summon a suspect, we have sufficient evidence to convict that suspect.”

The Ol Kalou by-election is scheduled for July 16, 2026, following the death of area MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.

Electoral offences

Mukhwana said the commission had also experienced situations where incidents widely reported in the media were not followed by formal complaints from affected parties.

He said the Elections Offences Act places responsibility on both those who offer and those who receive bribes during elections.

“An MP who gives you money is breaking the law, and the citizen who receives the money is also breaking the law,” he said.

“When you allow your civic choice to be subverted by that money or any other form of inducement, you lose the opportunity to shape the kind of leadership you want.”

He said the commission was continuing to gather evidence through its officers on the ground before instituting further action.

Security concerns

Mukhwana’s remarks came as the commission continued to monitor reports of insecurity and electoral offences in the constituency.

He said while the situation appeared calm during the day, incidents reported at night remained a concern. “During the day, all seems well in Ol Kalou, but when nightfall comes, madness descends.”

He referred to a confrontation reported on the night of July 1 that resulted in the death of one person and said insecurity affected the ability of voters to exercise their democratic rights freely.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has warned that the commission could postpone or cancel the by-election if conditions do not allow for a free and fair election.

“We will be left with no choice other than to take the most unfortunate and drastic step,” Ethekon said.

Political reactions

Political leaders have continued to comment on the conduct of campaigns in Ol Kalou.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said there were plans to create chaos that would lead to postponement of the by-election.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna criticised the commission, saying it should take action against individuals violating electoral laws instead of issuing general warnings.

DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru said complaints over voter bribery and destruction of campaign materials had not received action despite political parties signing the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The Linda Mwananchi movement also criticised the commission over the use of state resources during campaigns.

Mukhwana said the commission would continue working with relevant agencies while investigations into reported electoral offences and security incidents continue ahead of the July 16 poll.