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.

• Nine candidates are vying for the seat, with the main contest between UDA and Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
• Over 1,000 police officers have been deployed to ensure security at the constituency's 114 polling stations.
• The by-election has been marked by accusations and counter-accusations, including allegations of voter suppression tactics by the UDA camp.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed all preparations are complete for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, assuring voters of a free, fair, and credible poll.

• 73,480 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 144 polling stations.
• IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu expressed confidence in the KIEMS kits, highlighting a 99.99% success rate.
• Nine candidates are vying for the seat, which became vacant after the death of David Kiaraho on March 29, 2026.

The Ol Kalou Constituency is gearing up for a critical by-election scheduled for Thursday, with an extensive security operation in place.

• Over 1,000 police officers have been deployed to ensure peace and order during the electoral process.
• The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is overseeing the preparations for the poll.
• The by-election is described as high-stakes, indicating significant importance for the constituency.

Democracy for the Citizens party leader 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.

• The challenge was issued by Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for the Citizens party.
• The call is directed at President William Ruto regarding the Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for Thursday.
• Gachagua is demanding the withdrawal of all state agents from the area.

Residents of Ol Kalou Constituency braved a chilly morning to vote in a parliamentary by-election held on Thursday, November 18th, to fill a seat vacated by the death of the former MP.

• Over 73,480 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots across five wards.
• Key contenders include Samuel Muchina Nyagah (UDA), Sammy Kamau Ngotho (DCP), and Engineer Wilson Kigwa (Jubilee).
• Voting is overseen by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and will continue until 6:00 PM, with provisions for those already in queues.

Voters in Ol Kalou are participating in a parliamentary by-election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of MP David Kiaraho in March. The election features a sharp contest between the UDA and the DCP.

• Voting began at 6:00 AM across 144 polling stations for 73,480 registered voters.
• The main contenders are Samuel Muchina Nyagah (UDA) and Sammy Kamau Ngotho (DCP).
• Notable moments include the UDA candidate casting his vote and a candidate arriving by donkey to vote.

Ruling party candidate Samuel Muchina has expressed his readiness to accept the outcome of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, stating his trust in the electoral process.

• Samuel Muchina, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominee, cast his vote at Huruma Primary School.
• He assured reporters that he is prepared for either a win or a loss, pledging to abide by the law.
• The by-election was necessitated by the death of the former MP, David Njuguna Kiaraho, in March.

Democratic Congress Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau expressed strong confidence in winning the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after casting his vote on Thursday, July 16.

• Sammy Kamau is a newcomer to elective politics but is considered a leading contender among nine candidates.
• Kamau campaigned on promises of political change, accountability, and constituency-specific issues like supporting dairy farmers and improving infrastructure.
• He praised the voting process as calm with high turnout, despite minor initial hitches regarding agent identification.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu has urged Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha to ensure only identifiable police officers are deployed in Ol Kalou during the ongoing by-election, specifically warning against hooded police at polling stations.

• Senator Methu commended the election process as peaceful and orderly, noting high voter turnout.
• The main concern raised was the presence of potentially unidentifiable police officers on duty.
• In response, Commissioner Nkanatha acknowledged the deployment of plainclothes DCI officers but assured that all security personnel and vehicles are identifiable.

Nation Media Group (NMG) has condemned a violent attack on its journalists covering the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, calling it an assault on press freedom.

• An NTV cameraman was reportedly tasered and beaten, while a Nation reporter was threatened at gunpoint and had her phone confiscated.
• The incident occurred at the AC Primary School polling station.
• NMG Board Chairman Joe Muganda urged authorities to investigate and ensure journalist safety.

A brief standoff occurred at Ol Kalou Comprehensive School Polling Centre when residents blocked police vehicles during a parliamentary by-election on Thursday.

• Residents, identifying as 'Vote Guards', placed stones and chanted, demanding police vehicles stay away from the polling station.
• The situation was resolved after Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Ngotho intervened, brokering an agreement for police to withdraw.
• The group of 'Vote Guards' was briefly dispersed by police using tear gas, though security forces maintained a strong presence in Ol Kalou.

Unidentified masked gunmen in multiple Toyota Land Cruisers disrupted the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election on Thursday, July 16th, assaulting journalists and dispersing residents with teargas.

• The gunmen, armed and wearing balaclavas, arrived in at least five unmarked vehicles.
• Several journalists reported being assaulted and having their equipment confiscated.
• The incident contradicts earlier assurances from Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha regarding vehicle identification during the poll.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reported a smooth Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election process, urging voters to participate before polls close.

• Voter turnout reached 38.2pc by 1pm.
• The IEBC is using KIEMS kits for voter identification.
• Polling stations opened on schedule, with strict guidelines on access to polling and tallying centers to ensure transparency.

Voting has concluded in the Ol Kalou constituency parliamentary by-election, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commencing the counting and tallying of ballots.

• Voter turnout reached 38.2% by 1 p.m.
• The IEBC managed the electoral process, ensuring transparency through measures like public display of results.
• The by-election is seen as a significant indicator for political trends ahead of the 2027 General Election, with attention focused on stations that opened late or experienced interruptions.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reported over 50% voter turnout for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election and urged for continued peace during vote counting. The commission anticipates announcing the winner by midnight.

• Voter turnout recorded at 50.8 percent.
• The IEBC officials, including Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan and Commissioner Ann Nderitu, oversaw the by-election.
• The IEBC dismissed calls for supporters to guard polling stations, emphasizing that results are protected by law and should be counted peacefully by accredited agents, observers, and media.