Ol Kalou chaos: Hooded men attack journalists, seize cameras at polling station
By Sharon Atieno, July 16, 2026Chaos erupted at Ol Kalou Comprehensive School polling station during the ongoing Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after a group of armed, hooded men reportedly confronted journalists covering the exercise and seized their cameras.
The incident sparked tension at the polling station, with security officers later using teargas to disperse crowds as confusion spread among voters and observers.
The disruption came amid heightened political temperatures in the constituency, where the by-election has attracted national attention ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua later announced an urgent media briefing at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County, saying he would address what he termed police violence and electoral fraud during the polls.
In a post on Facebook on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Gachagua said the press conference would focus on concerns surrounding the conduct of the election.
“Press conference, July 16, 2026, at 3.00 pm, Wamunyoro Residence, Nyeri. Police violence and electoral fraud in Ol Kalou,” Gachagua wrote.
Gachagua raises concerns over plain-clothes officers
The former deputy president had earlier raised concerns over the presence of police officers operating in plain clothes during the by-election, claiming they could interfere with the voting process.
Gachagua criticised Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over the deployment, saying such officers were a source of insecurity during the electoral exercise.
“Bwana IG, I told you that rogue police officers in plain clothes are your weakest link. They are the source of insecurity in the country. I urged you to have them withdrawn from Ol Kalou, but you seem impotent,” he said.
He further claimed that some politicians were working with officers to disrupt voting at key polling stations, allegations that had not been independently verified by the time of publication.
Calls for calm as voting continues
Gachagua urged election observers, journalists and members of the public to remain vigilant and document any incidents that could interfere with the credibility of the by-election.
He specifically mentioned Huruma Polling Station, St Joseph and AC Primary School as areas requiring close monitoring.
“Members of the public must protect these two polling stations and remain vigilant at others that may be targeted,” he said.
The DCP leader called on security agencies to ensure the exercise remained peaceful and warned that authorities would bear responsibility for any disruption witnessed during the polls.
The National Police Service and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had not issued an official statement regarding the incident by the time of publication.
Voting in Ol Kalou Constituency began at 6am, with leading candidates including DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru and UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyaga casting their votes early as voters turned out across polling stations.