Ol Kalou Constituency Set for By-Election as IEBC Finalises Preparations

OL KALOU, Nyandarua County – Residents of Ol Kalou Constituency are set to elect a new Member of Parliament on Thursday, July 16, in a closely watched by-election that has drawn significant political attention and intense competition among candidates.

The race has largely been dominated by candidates from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), with both parties holding extensive campaigns across the constituency in recent weeks. Aspirants traversed various wards, presenting their manifestos and making final appeals to voters before the official campaign period came to an end on Monday evening, in line with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) regulations.

Ahead of the poll, the IEBC has confirmed that all logistical arrangements have been put in place to ensure a free, fair and credible election. The commission has deployed election officials, voting materials and the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits to polling stations across the constituency, assuring voters that the technology is ready for use in voter identification.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has reiterated the commission’s commitment to delivering a transparent electoral process, noting that the Ol Kalou by-election will be conducted using the digital voter register through the KIEMS kits. The commission has urged all stakeholders to uphold peace, respect electoral laws and allow voters to exercise their democratic right without intimidation or interference.

The electoral agency has also reminded registered voters to carry either their original National Identity Card or a valid Kenyan passport when reporting to their designated polling stations. Upon arrival, voters will undergo identification through the KIEMS kit before being issued with a stamped ballot paper.

After receiving the ballot paper, voters will proceed to a private voting booth to secretly mark their preferred candidate. They will then fold the ballot paper and place it in the designated ballot box before having one finger marked with indelible ink to prevent multiple voting. The voting process concludes once the voter exits the polling station.

To ensure a peaceful election, security agencies have heightened surveillance across the constituency and assured residents that adequate security personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order throughout the voting exercise and the subsequent tallying process.

The IEBC has called on all registered voters in Ol Kalou Constituency to turn out in large numbers and participate peacefully in the democratic process. The commission has further urged candidates, political parties, observers and supporters to respect the outcome of the election and channel any disputes through the legal mechanisms provided under Kenyan law.

The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election is expected to serve as an important test for the country’s newly reconstituted electoral commission, with political observers closely watching both the conduct of the election and voter turnout. Results are expected to be announced after the completion of vote counting and verification by the IEBC.