The Online Kenyan

Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered a thorough investigation into alleged violence during the Ol Kalou by-election. He stressed that anyone found responsible for causing disruptions would face arrest. CS Murkomen ordered the investigation after masked armed men lobbed tear gas at a crowd in Ol Kalou. The by-election vote counting was underway after polls closed.

A severe dry spell in Kenya's North Rift region, the country's main food basket, is threatening national food security. Thousands of acres of maize crops have been ravaged, with potential yield drops of up to 60 percent. Kenyan Senators have put Environment, Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa on the spot, criticizing the government's weak enforcement of environmental laws despite a comprehensive legal framework. Kenya's National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has ordered a fresh probe into the construction of a 1,000-bed student hostel at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. Separately, Members of Kenya's National Assembly are warning universities and colleges against dismissing audit findings, emphasizing the need for accountability in managing public funds.

Kenya is set to launch a unified national emergency medical response system, the SHA 112 Lifeline, by the end of July, following an inspection of the new National Ambulance Dispatch Centre. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is set to drastically reduce processing times for the Police Clearance Certificate from 14 days to just one day starting Monday, July 20, 2026. Kenya and the Netherlands are partnering to develop a Nairobi Flash Flood Early Warning System to mitigate the impact of heavy rains and potential El Niño conditions.

The new President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Gatembu Kairu, has vowed to tackle a significant backlog of nearly 10,000 appeals to improve case resolution times in Kenya. The High Court has suspended President William Ruto's executive order that placed the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) under the Ministry of Interior. A Nairobi resident has filed a petition at the High Court seeking to block Chief Justice Martha Koome from publishing individual judges' performance rankings, arguing it will expose judges to harassment and undue stress.

Voting is underway in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, a high-stakes contest seen as the first major political test in the Mt. Kenya region since former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's split with President William Ruto. The election features a sharp contest between the UDA and DCP to fill the seat left vacant by the death of MP David Kiaraho in March. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reported a smooth by-election process with over 50% voter turnout by close of voting, urging for continued peace during vote counting. However, the electoral process was disrupted when unidentified masked gunmen in multiple Toyota Land Cruisers assaulted journalists and dispersed residents with teargas. Nation Media Group condemned the violent attack on its journalists covering the by-election, calling it an assault on press freedom. At Ol Kalou Comprehensive School Polling Centre, a brief standoff occurred when residents blocked police vehicles during the by-election. Nyandarua Senator John Methu urged the Central Regional Commissioner to ensure only identifiable police officers are deployed, specifically warning against hooded police at polling stations.

Security has been significantly heightened in Ol Kalou constituency with the deployment of over 1,000 police officers ahead of a crucial parliamentary by-election scheduled for Thursday, July 15, 2026. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is facing criticism regarding the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election, with accusations of applying double standards. A pre-election report by the Election Observation Group (ELOG) raises concerns that voter bribery and violence could undermine the integrity of the Ol Kalou by-election. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has challenged President William Ruto to withdraw state agents from Ol Kalou ahead of the by-election if he is confident in his party winning. Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered an immediate investigation into alleged police interference during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, vowing that any rogue officers involved would face legal repercussions.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has been removed from his position as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, replaced by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch. The decision was announced by the Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on Thursday. Sifuna remains defiant after his removal as Senate Minority Whip, vowing to continue speaking out on issues affecting Kenyans. Two Kenyan senators are demanding answers from the government regarding the implementation of a Sh2 billion compensation and reparation program for victims of violence during demonstrations.