Opposition rejects IEBC’s move to postpone Ol Kalou by-election
By Faith Lagat, July 10, 2026Opposition leaders have rejected any move to postpone the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, urging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to enforce electoral laws and ensure residents exercise their constitutional right to vote on July 16.
In a joint statement released on Friday, leaders led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Linda Mwananchi movement leader Edwin Sifuna, and Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i raised concern over reports of voter inducements and the use of state resources during campaigns.
“For days, Kenyans have watched cash, GOK-branded mattresses, gas cylinders, impromptu projects not budgeted for, and other inducements being splashed to voters on a scale that is unprecedented,” the statement said in part.
The leaders said the reported activities amount to voter bribery and misuse of public resources, adding that the IEBC, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) should enforce the Elections Act against those found responsible.
Concerns over voter inducements
The opposition leaders said government officials had taken an active role in campaigns, contrary to the Elections Act, and urged enforcement agencies to investigate reported electoral offences.
“The buck stops with the IEBC, which must immediately demonstrate that it has control over the conduct of elections in this country,” the statement said.
They added that where there is evidence against specific candidates, parties, agents, or public officers, the law should be enforced against those individuals, including disqualification where applicable.
The leaders also called on the DCI and EACC to investigate reported cases of voter bribery and misuse of public resources. “Public money is not a campaign tool,” they said.
The statement maintained that the people of Ol Kalou should not lose their constitutional right to elect a Member of Parliament because of the actions of individuals accused of violating election laws.
“The IEBC and government must not punish the people of Ol Kalou by denying them their constitutional right to elect a representative. Nor will we accept any postponement of the election. That’s cowardly.”
Gachagua questions IEBC’s handling of poll
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also criticised the commission during a press briefing at the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) headquarters in Nairobi.
He said the commission had failed to inspire public confidence since the current commissioners assumed office, arguing that it had not consistently enforced constitutional provisions governing elections.
Gachagua cited Articles 81 and 38 of the Constitution, saying elections must be free, fair, transparent, impartial and accountable.
He said senior government officials had been deployed to the constituency during campaigns and questioned the level of state involvement.
“Government officials are actually more than the voters in Ol Kalou. Helicopters are almost causing accidents in the air,” he said.
He also called on security agencies to deploy only uniformed police officers during the by-election and prevent outsiders from disrupting the process.
Calls for election to proceed
The opposition leaders said any reported election offences should be addressed through investigations and prosecution rather than postponing the poll.
“Kenya cannot normalise electoral crime and then act surprised when public corruption follows it,” the statement said.
“Leaders who buy votes treat public office as an investment to recover, not a trust to honor.”
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election was occasioned by the death of area MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.
The race has attracted candidates from several political parties, including UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah and DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru.
The IEBC has previously said it is monitoring reports of voter bribery, violence and other election offences ahead of polling day, while warning that enforcement action will be taken where sufficient evidence is available.
The opposition leaders maintained that the election should proceed as scheduled, with those found violating electoral laws held individually accountable through the legal process.