The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election has reopened a familiar debate over the deployment of plainclothes police officers during politically charged events, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urging security agencies to deploy only uniformed officers ahead of the July 16, 2026 poll.

Gachagua said that plainclothes officers had previously been used to cause confusion during political events and warned that similar deployments could undermine public confidence in the by-election. Jubilee Deputy Party leader and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also raised concerns, cautioning that the country risks sliding into a deeper political crisis if electoral security is mishandled.

Recurring concern

The debate comes against the backdrop of recent incidents in which civilians have questioned the presence of armed individuals in civilian clothing during protests and political gatherings. Similar concerns surfaced during demonstrations in Nairobi, the Keumbu attack in Kisii and the recent violence surrounding the Ol Kalou campaigns.

After a Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) campaign truck was vandalised in Gilgil on Saturday, July 11, 2026, Gachagua’s allies claimed some of the attackers were police officers in civilian clothes, an allegation that has not been independently verified.

Police maintain officers do not work with goons

The National Police Service has consistently rejected claims that its officers collaborate with criminal gangs.

Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri said any officer found working with criminals would face disciplinary and criminal action.

“Absolutely not. Any police officer who is purportedly working with criminals, criminal goons, that is not a police officer. Police cannot, and police are not working with goons,” Muchiri said during a televised interview last week.

He added that officers captured failing to act or engaging in misconduct are investigated and prosecuted where evidence exists.

The real test

Whether police heed Gachagua’s call is likely to become one of the biggest tests of the Ol Kalou by-election. While plainclothes deployments are lawful in certain security operations, public confidence increasingly depends on visibility, accountability and transparency.

Beyond who wins the seat, the conduct of security agencies may ultimately shape public trust in both the electoral process and policing ahead of the 2027 General Election.