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

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Ol Kalou candidate Samuel Muchina has said he will accept the outcome of the polls, stating that the decision made by voters at the ballot box will be respected.

Muchina, who cast his vote as residents turned out across polling stations in Ol Kalou constituency on Thursday, July 16, 2026, said he was confident of victory but would follow the will of the people once voting and tallying were completed.

The Ol Kalou by-election began on Thursday morning, July 16, 2026, with polling stations opening at 6.00 am. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said voting would continue until 5.00 p.m., with voters already in queues by closing time allowed to cast their ballots.

“The process is good because, as you can see, people have turned out in large numbers. It is really encouraging to see how people have turned out to vote and exercise their democratic right,” he said.

The UDA candidate said his campaign team had spent three months engaging voters across Ol Kalou and believed residents had listened to his agenda.

“We have had three months to campaign, and I feel like we have done our best and people have listened to us. We encourage everyone within Ol Kalou constituency to come out in large numbers so that they can elect their Member of Parliament,” he said.

Muchina raises vehicle incident

The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election has attracted political interest, with the contest seen as a key indicator of political support in the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking about security during the voting exercise, Muchina said the arrangements had been effective, noting that police officers had been deployed in different areas.

“Security is well organised today because when you look around, you will see police officers everywhere. They are manning our roads and our police stations,” he said.

He added that he had not received reports of any incidents during voting day but raised concerns over an incident that occurred before the election.

Muchina claimed that one of his vehicles, which was transporting his election agent, was burnt by suspected goons at Mogumo. He said he would pursue the matter through the appropriate authorities.

“I am a law-abiding citizen. I will take the necessary action. If I have to report, I will go and report so that action can be taken. I do not want to talk about it now; I want to take action,” he said.

He also recalled a previous incident involving the removal of his campaign banners, saying he reported the matter to the police and relevant investigative agencies.

The IEBC has urged voters in Ol Kalou to maintain peace and protect the secrecy of their votes during the by-election. The commission warned that photographing marked ballot papers is an electoral offence that can undermine the integrity of the voting process.

As candidates await the final results, Muchina maintained that the people of Ol Kalou will make the final decision. “Just wait in the evening and see what the people will decide,” he said-PeopleDaily.Digital.