IEBC says preparations for Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election in top gear

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has said preparations for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026, are in the final stages, with the training of election officials progressing as planned.

In a statement, the commission said the training of Presiding Officers (POs) and Deputy Presiding Officers (DPOs) has been successfully completed, while the training of Polling Clerks is currently underway across Ol Kalou Constituency.

According to the electoral agency, the exercise is aimed at equipping polling officials with the skills and knowledge required to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

“The training equips election officials with the knowledge and skills required to conduct a free, fair, transparent, and credible election, as the IEBC finalizes preparations for polling day,” the commission said.

Presiding Officers will earn Sh2,000 per day, while Deputy Presiding Officers will receive Sh1,800 per day. Constituency Voter Educators and Support Electoral Trainers will each be paid Sh2,000 per day, while Polling Clerks will earn Sh1,000 per day.

The update comes days after IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon warned that the commission could postpone the by-election if widespread electoral malpractices or violence undermine the integrity of the campaign process.

Meanwhile, campaigns have intensified ahead of the vote, with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) emerging as the main contenders.

UDA is fielding Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who won the party nomination after garnering 3,221 votes, narrowly defeating George Wambugu Kanuri, who received 3,077 votes.

On the other hand, the DCP nominated Kamau Ngotho as its candidate.