Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has opposed any move to postpone the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying security concerns should be addressed without denying residents their constitutional right to vote.

Speaking on Sunday, July 12, 2026, Muturi said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should work with security agencies to ensure the election proceeds as planned instead of considering a delay.

“The right to vote is not a privilege to be suspended at the slightest challenge; it is a constitutional guarantee that must be protected at all times,” Muturi said in a statement shared on his X account.

The remarks came amid growing debate over the fate of the Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, after the IEBC warned that it could postpone or cancel the poll if insecurity and breaches of electoral rules continue.

Muturi said the commission should not punish voters because of security challenges, arguing that state institutions have a responsibility to create a safe environment for elections.

“If there are security concerns, the solution is not to deny wananchi their democratic right. The solution is for the IEBC Chairman, Mr Erastus Ethekon, to immediately engage the Inspector General of Police and ensure that adequate security is provided,” he said.

IEBC raises security concerns

The IEBC raised concerns over violence, voter bribery and violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct during campaigns in Ol Kalou.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission would take action if the environment became unsuitable for a credible election.

“We have witnessed voter bribery, campaigns at night and violence leading to the death of one person,” Ethekon said during the launch of the 2022 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution Report.

He warned that the commission could postpone or cancel the election if security agencies and other stakeholders failed to address the challenges.

“In the event that, working with the security officials and other stakeholders, we find that the environment is not conducive enough for us to conclude the by-election in Ol Kalou, we will be left with no choice other than to take the most unfortunate and drastic step of postponing the elections in Ol Kalou. And if that’s not enough, we will cancel it altogether,” Ethekon said.

However, the electoral agency has said preparations for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election are on course, with training of key election officials completed.

The commission said training for deputy presiding officers and presiding officers had been concluded, while polling clerks were undergoing training.

Political tension rises

The debate over the Ol Kalou by-election has intensified following accusations of violence from rival political groups campaigning in the constituency.

Linda Mwananchi leaders on Sunday accused security agencies of failing to protect their activities after Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s driver was shot during a rally in Nyahururu.

Kang’ata said his team faced hostility while attending a church service before the rally, claiming his vehicle was blocked and confiscated by goons.

“My driver was injured by police. There was a shooting incident where he was shot. He’s currently in hospital. He has a bullet lodged in his chest. We are yet to ascertain whether it’s a live bullet or a rubber bullet,” Kang’ata said.

The incident also involved the destruction of vehicles, including one belonging to Linda Mwananchi spokesperson Caroli Omondi.

The movement’s leaders have linked the Nyahururu confrontation to previous incidents in Kisii and Kisumu, allegations that have not been independently verified.

Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also criticised the IEBC warning, accusing the commission of attempting to delay the election because the government fears defeat.

Gachagua claimed the security concerns cited by IEBC were being used as an excuse to interfere with the electoral process.

“The people of Ol Kalou are very peaceful. All the candidates are working together and nobody is fighting each other,” he said during a press briefing on Friday, July 10, 2026.

Muturi defends voters’ rights

Muturi said institutions should solve challenges facing the election instead of creating additional obstacles.

“The Constitution expects institutions to solve problems, not create new ones,” he said.

He added that Kenya had previously conducted elections under difficult circumstances and that the government had a duty to provide security for voters, candidates and election officials.

“Elections have been conducted before under difficult circumstances because the State has a duty to provide security for both voters and election officials,” Muturi said.

The former Attorney General maintained that residents of Ol Kalou should be allowed to choose their representative through the ballot without delay.

“The people of Ol Kalou deserve to exercise their sovereign will without delay. Their voice cannot be postponed,” he said.

Muturi concluded that all institutions involved in the election process should perform their constitutional duties and allow voters to make the final decision.

“Democracy delayed is democracy denied,” he said.