The battle for the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election has intensified after former Attorney General Justin Muturi accused the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of using political tactics to gain an advantage, claiming the opposition cannot fairly lose if the electoral playing field remains level.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Muturi said opposition candidates would have a strong chance of victory under a transparent electoral process but warned that government influence and alleged political manoeuvres could affect the outcome of the July 16 parliamentary contest.

“Even if we are defeated, which I don’t think we will. On a fair platform, we can’t lose, but because the government always has its own machinations, like the ones they did in Mbeere North, anything can happen,” Muturi said.

He added that reports from the constituency indicated growing support for the opposition, with residents expressing frustration over political dynamics in the area.

“The reports I’m getting, especially from Ol Kalou, are that citizens are saying, let us eat the way Gachagua told us; we will treat them like KANU in Kipipiri polls,” Muturi stated.

The remarks come as political temperatures rise ahead of the Ol Kalou by-election, with rival camps trading accusations over campaign strategies, voter mobilisation, and the role of government officials in the constituency

Muturi also raised concerns over the use of identification documents during elections, arguing that relying only on biometric systems without proper voter register verification could create loopholes.

“Voter register must be there, not ID only, because KIEMS Kit only shows your face, hence can make people outside the constituency vote,” he said.

Voter register access and Gachagua’s claims

His concerns mirror wider opposition claims that electoral transparency must be strengthened to guarantee that only registered voters participate in the poll.

The controversy deepened after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed residents in Ol Kalou were being asked to surrender their national identity cards in exchange for government-branded items, including gas cylinders and mattresses.

In a statement posted on his X account, Gachagua claimed that the exercise was part of an attempt to interfere with voters’ ability to participate in the July 16 by-election.

“Reports reaching me from Ol Kalou are that residents are being asked to surrender their identity cards in exchange for a free gas cylinder and a GoK-branded mattress. This is a scheme to deny you the opportunity and right to vote on the by-elections of 16th July 2026,” he wrote.

The Democracy for Citizens Party leader urged residents not to surrender their identification documents, saying the national ID remains an important requirement during elections.

“Please don’t surrender your Identity Card to anyone. Let the Government and UDA campaigners give you the gas cylinder and a GoK mattress,” Gachagua added.

He further encouraged residents to accept development projects and assistance being offered but warned them against compromising their constitutional right to vote.

Govt defends outreach activities

The claims have been rejected by government-aligned leaders, with Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria explaining that collecting identification details during outreach programmes was intended for accountability purposes and not election manipulation.

Gikaria said the exercise was aimed at recording the number of beneficiaries reached and confirming that assistance was delivered to residents, insisting it had no connection to the Ol Kalou parliamentary contest.

“Some people are saying that I am asking for IDs to steal votes. During voting, is it your ID that is used? No. People vote using their fingerprints,” Gikaria said.

He argued that Kenya’s biometric voting system prevents individuals from voting on behalf of others because voters must physically appear and verify themselves.

“Am I going to cut anyone’s finger so that I can vote on their behalf? That is impossible. You must appear in person and use your own fingerprint,” he added.

The Ol Kalou by-election has attracted significant political attention, with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and senior government officials making frequent visits to the constituency in recent weeks.

The increased government presence has triggered criticism from opposition figures, who argue that state resources and influence are being deployed to shape the outcome of the contest.

As campaigns enter the final stretch, the Ol Kalou by-election has become a key political test, with issues of voter integrity, government involvement, and opposition strength dominating the debate.

The outcome is expected to provide insight into shifting political loyalties in the region and the influence of national political alliances ahead of future electoral battles.