NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 16 – Voting is underway in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with polling stations opening at 6am under heavy security in a high-stakes contest widely seen as the first major political test in the Mt. Kenya region since former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s split with President William Ruto.
Nine candidates are vying for the seat, but the race has effectively narrowed to a two-horse contest between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
UDA has fronted Samuel Muchina Nyaga, while DCP is backing former MCA Sammy Kamau Ngotho.
Other candidates include Wakili Kiragu Wathuta and Isaac Ndirangu.
Election officials arrived at polling stations before dawn to prepare for voting, which is scheduled to run until 5pm before counting begins at the respective polling stations.
The by-election has drawn intense national attention following weeks of vigorous campaigning, with senior government officials and opposition figures crisscrossing the constituency in a bid to sway voters.
Security has also been significantly heightened, with the National Police Service deploying more than 1,000 officers across the constituency’s 114 polling stations.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja said each polling station would be manned by at least two police officers, backed by standby response teams, while officers from the General Service Unit (GSU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have been placed on standby to respond to incidents and investigate election-related offences.
“The National Police Service shall remain steadfast during the by-election process, ensuring a safe and secure environment where the people of Ol Kalou have an opportunity to exercise their democratic rights in peace,” Kanja said ahead of the vote.
The poll has, however, been overshadowed by accusations and counter-accusations between the rival camps.
During the campaign, Gachagua alleged that some residents were being asked to surrender their national identity cards in exchange for subsidised LPG cylinders and government-branded mattresses, claiming the exercise was designed to suppress voter turnout.
“This is a scheme to deny you the opportunity and right to vote… Please don’t surrender your identity card to anyone,” he said.
The former Deputy President also demanded that all officers deployed for election duty wear official uniforms, display service numbers and use clearly marked police vehicles, arguing that plainclothes officers could be used to intimidate voters or interfere with the electoral process.
The government has dismissed the allegations.
Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria defended the LPG cylinder distribution programme, saying it was part of ongoing government development initiatives requested by residents and not an election campaign tactic.
The Interior Ministry has also denied claims of plans to interfere with the vote, maintaining that the enhanced security deployment is solely intended to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election.
The Ol Kalou by-election is being closely watched as a barometer of political influence in the Mt. Kenya region, with both UDA and DCP seeking to demonstrate their electoral strength ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Results are expected later on Thursday after voting closes and ballot counting is completed at all polling stations.
