Vipingo Industries denies owning SUV linked to armed men in Ol Kalou by-election violence
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 18, 2026Vipingo Industries Limited has denied claims that it owns a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado seen in viral videos during the Ol Kalou Parliamentary by-election, saying the company has no connection to the vehicle or the people captured in the footage.
The company issued a statement on Saturday, July 18, 2026, after reports linked a vehicle bearing a registration number similar to the company’s vehicle to the scenes of violence witnessed during the Ol Kalou by-election on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
According to Vipingo Industries, although it owns a vehicle with the same registration number, the vehicle is a Toyota Probox, not the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado seen in the widely shared videos.
“We categorically deny this claim. While Vipingo Industries owns a motor vehicle with the same registration number KDW ***, our vehicle is however, a Toyota Probox and not the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as shown in the video, and we have no connection whatsoever to it or the reported activities and individuals in question,” the company said.
The statement came after media reports identified the registration number as belonging to Vipingo Industries following footage showing hooded and armed men travelling in SUVs during the by-election.
The videos, which circulated widely on social media, appeared to show masked men moving through parts of Ol Kalou as violence disrupted voting. Residents also reported incidents involving teargas and intimidation during the exercise.
Company distances itself from incident
Vipingo Industries said it is a law-abiding Kenyan company whose operations are strictly limited to legitimate business activities.
“Vipingo Industries is a responsible Kenyan company committed purely to business activities, ethical practices and transparency all within the law,” the company said.
It maintained that it had no involvement in the reported events or the individuals seen in the videos.
The company further disclosed that it had reported the matter to the police after the claims emerged.
“We remain committed to transparency and will cooperate with any relevant authorities if required,” the statement added.
Probe into Ol Kalou violence
The controversy over the vehicle emerged after disturbances marred the Ol Kalou Parliamentary by-election, with videos showing armed and hooded men moving around in several sport utility vehicles.
The incident sparked public concern and calls for accountability over the identity of the men and the vehicles used during the violence.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has since directed security agencies to investigate the incidents that disrupted the mini-poll.
“Let me assure Kenyans that the Inspector General of Police deployed enough officers to provide security in Ol Kalou. These allegations of some other persons causing havoc in Ol Kalou must be investigated thoroughly, and anyone found culpable must be arrested regardless of what they were doing and who deployed them to Ol Kalou,” Murkomen said.
He added: “Whether they were deployed by the Inspector General, they must be dealt with and dealt with conclusively. We are not condoning violence in any way.”