Safina deputy party leader Willis Otieno has called for the disqualification of the UDA candidate in the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, arguing that reports of open voter bribery should attract the full force of Kenya’s electoral laws.

Writing on X on Friday, July 10, 2026, Otieno said outright election crimes could not be allowed during any election conducted with the impartial observance of the law. He emphasised that if vote-buying is not discouraged, it would tarnish the image of democratic elections and reduce public confidence in the electoral process.

“Open voter bribery in Ol Kalou would, in any election where electoral laws are enforced impartially, warrant the disqualification of the UDA candidate. Democracy cannot be credible where votes are treated as commodities and electoral offences go unpunished,” Otieno said.

Calls for equal enforcement of electoral laws

The outspoken lawyer has noted that electoral and law enforcement agencies should apply the law fairly to all candidates, irrespective of their political party. He further stated that meaningful sanctions should be imposed on electoral offences to safeguard the integrity of elections and discourage the recurrence of the offences.

His remarks come at a time when opposition candidates have been complaining about voter bribery and other irregularities during the election campaigns, as well as the failure of the authorities to take any action despite the repeated reports of irregularities.

Senior government ministers and opposition leaders have joined the fray in a bid for the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat, making the by-election one of the nation’s most closely watched political battles, which is due on July 16.

Pressure mounts ahead of poll

Political activity has been high in the by-election, and there have been accusations of campaign malpractice from both parties. They are demanding action against those who have violated the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Otieno’s statement has come on the heels of other pressure on electoral institutions and their ability to show impartiality in their investigations of reported electoral offences and to take necessary action should a violation of the law be found.

Otieno’s call for the disqualification of the UDA candidate also comes against the backdrop of a warning from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that the Ol Kalou by-election could be postponed if escalating electoral malpractices, violence, intimidation or other serious breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct threaten the integrity of the poll.

The warning has sparked greater worries about the activities of the campaigns as voters prepare to vote on July 16.