With voting underway in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued key reminders to voters, including how they will be identified, the secrecy of the ballot and who will still be allowed to vote after the official closing time.

Polling stations across the constituency opened at 6.00 am on Thursday, July 16, 2026, and are scheduled to close at 5.00 pm.

However, the commission said voters who are in the queue by the official closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballots.

The electoral agency added that any time lost during polling will be recovered at closing to ensure eligible voters are not disadvantaged.

Before receiving a ballot paper, the IEBC said all eligible voters appearing in the certified Register of Voters for the Ol Kalou by-election will be identified biometrically using the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kit.

The commission has also urged residents to take part in the electoral process peacefully.

“To all voters in the Ol Kalou by-election: your participation matters. We encourage you to turn out in large numbers and peacefully exercise your democratic right and vote for your preferred candidate,” the IEBC said.

“The Commission reiterates that the secrecy of the ballot is a constitutional right guaranteed under Article 38(3)(b) and 81 (e) (i) of the Constitution and is a fundamental principle of democratic elections,” the commission said.

It warned that photographing or recording a marked ballot paper is prohibited and amounts to an electoral offence.

“Any act that compromises this secrecy, including photographing or recording a marked ballot paper, undermines the integrity of the electoral process, exposes voters to undue influence, coercion, and vote-buying, and constitutes an electoral offence,” the IEBC said.

The Ol Kalou by-election is being held to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant following the death of Jubilee Party MP David Njuguna Kiaraho on March 29, 2026.

Counting is expected to begin after polling closes, once all voters who are in the queue by 5.00 pm have cast their ballots-STAR.

Central Regional Commander Joshua Nkanatha has denied claims that security officers are conducting operations in Ol Kalou using unmarked cars.

He said the use of cars without number plates is illegal and those found culpable will face the law.

“No police officer is driving an unmarked car, the DCI have their number plates, the police…, and even my car has a number plate,” he said.

Nkanatha was responding to claims by DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala that police officers are moving around in civilian clothing and unmarked cars to intimidate voters.

“We expect victory, but we have also seen so many vehicles running around without number plates. I think this is a concern that the police should take note of. Some of them are plain-clothes police officers, and their aim is to intimidate voters,” he said.

“Definitely the DCI officers are here with us and we know that they normally put of civilian clothing. So we can’t say we don’t have officers in civilian,” he said.

According to Nkanatha enough police officers have been deployed in all polling stations to provide security to voters.

Voting is currently underway in Ol Kalou and no major incidents have so far been reported-STAR.

Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has defended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)as the Ol Kalou by-election continues, dismissing claims of political interference and saying President William Ruto has no role in determining the outcome of a constituency contest.

In an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Sossion said the people of Ol Kalou have the constitutional authority to choose their Member of Parliament and should be allowed to exercise their democratic right without interference from national political leaders.

His remarks come hours before the counting of votes, which has attracted national attention amid competing claims over electoral credibility and the independence of Kenya’s electoral institutions.

In a statement addressed to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua called on the commission to ensure that the Ol Kalou election is free, fair and verifiable.

“I write to address you in my capacity as a leader in this country and in my civic duty as a responsible citizen. Take note that an election is more about the process than the outcome,” Gachagua said.

The party claimed that public confidence in the electoral commission had declined and claimed that some Kenyans view the IEBC as being aligned with President Ruto’s administration.

“Your Commission is on a record high on low trust and image. From the outset, Kenyans hold the view that your commission and you are an appendage and part of Mr. William Ruto,” Gachagua stated.

DCP further raised concerns over the conduct of the by-election, claiming possible delays in issuing accreditation badges for party agents, late opening of polling stations in opposition-leaning areas, issuance of double ballot papers to some voters, and the deployment of plainclothes security officers to intimidate voters and party representatives.

The IEBC has maintained that it is committed to conducting a credible election and has the mandate to oversee a transparent process in line with Kenya’s electoral laws.

Sossion, while defending the commission, urged political actors to respect the independence of the IEBC and allow Ol Kalou residents to make their own decision through the ballot.

The Ol Kalou by-election is being closely watched as political parties seek to demonstrate their grassroots influence and test voter confidence ahead of future electoral contests-PeopleDaily.Digital