IEBC Issues Statement on Ol Kalou By-election
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has thanked voters in Ol Kalou Constituency for participating in the parliamentary by-election held on July 16, 2026, saying the exercise recorded a voter turnout of 57 percent.
In a statement issued on Friday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon also expressed appreciation to election officials, stakeholders and development partners for their support in the successful conduct of the by-election.
“We further convey our gratitude to all IEBC staff for their dedication, professionalism and long hours of service that ensured the electoral processes were conducted in full compliance with the law,” Ethekon said.
He also acknowledged the role played by political parties, security agencies, administrators, civil society organisations, the media and members of the public in supporting the electoral process.
“We equally recognize the constructive engagement of stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle and appreciate the development partners whose support helped bridge financial gaps in the by-election budget,” he added.
The commission said credible elections require cooperation and good faith from all stakeholders, noting that public confidence in elections depends on both sound electoral systems and the collective commitment of all actors to uphold the integrity of the process.
“The Commission underscores that credible elections require collaboration and good faith from all actors, including political parties, security agencies, administrators, civil society, media and the public. Trust in our elections is built not only through technical excellence but also the collective responsibility of all actors to protect the integrity of the process,” Ethekon said.
The electoral agency said it will undertake a comprehensive post-election review in line with international best practice to assess the conduct of the by-election and identify areas for improvement ahead of future elections.
According to the commission, the review forms part of its constitutional mandate under Article 88(4)(h), which requires it to facilitate the observation, monitoring and evaluation of elections.
IEBC said it will also consider reports and recommendations from stakeholders to strengthen future electoral processes, including preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The commission further announced that voter registration in Ol Kalou Constituency will resume after the expiry of the statutory election petition period.
Under Section 76 of the Elections Act, election petitions challenging the validity of a by-election may be filed within 28 days after the declaration of results.
IEBC concluded by calling on political leaders and members of the public to continue promoting peaceful coexistence, issue-based politics and constructive participation in the country’s democratic processes.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho declared the winner of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after garnering 35,440 votes.
IEBC said Kamau defeated United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who garnered 5,450 votes.
Jubilee Party’s Wilson Kigwa finished third.
Nyagah conceded defeat and congratulated Ngotho in a post on Facebook.
“Congratulations Sammy Kamau Waweru. Go serve the people of Ol Kalou constituency,” he said in a post
The by-election held on Thursday was marred by violence after armed men travelling in unmarked vehicles allegedly attacked residents, journalists, and political supporters.
Teargas was lobbed to disperse crowds at various polling stations leaving several people injured as tensions flared during the voting process.
The outcome concludes months of intense campaigning in a race that had attracted national attention and was widely viewed as a political showdown between President William Ruto’s UDA and the Democracy for the Citizens Party led by Rigathi Gachagua.
The by-election was triggered by the death of former Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, creating the first parliamentary electoral test in the constituency since the 2022 General Election.
Politicians from across the divide campaigned aggressively in the area, with allegations of cash handouts reigning in the region from both political divides.
Attention is now expected to shift to how the outcome could shape campaign strategies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua has been boasting that Ruto has lost ground in the region amid ongoing political campaigns. He has consistently told the president he should prepare to hand over power to the next leadership and cited several issues as the reasons.
UDA was the most popular party in the region in the last elections in 2022 but has lost ground in the past years.