IEBC threatens to cancel or postpone Ol Kalou by-election over violence, voter bribery

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that it may be forced to postpone or cancel the Ol Kalou by-election slated for next Thursday due to widespread cases of voter bribery and violence that have already claimed one life.

Speaking during the launch of the 2022 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution Report, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon lamented claims of massive voter bribery and the use of State machinery to influence voters.

The commission has threatened to disqualify candidates found culpable of electoral offences, as the rain of cash and violence in the constituency finally landed on its radar.

Ethekon broke his silence on the matter, issuing a stern warning over the increasingly violent political campaigns that have left a trail of death and destruction.

"We have witnessed voter bribery, campaigns at night and violence leading to the death of one person," he stated. 

Ethekon also raised concerns over what he described as development goodies and handouts being channelled to Ol Kalou through government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.

"We have noted Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries campaigning," he noted. 

The IEBC Chairperson said the commission had already dispatched a team of investigators to Ol Kalou on a fact-finding mission, after which those found culpable would be summoned for appropriate action.

"These small incidents are a precursor to what 2027 will be like, and we cannot allow this trajectory," he said.

Ethekon also warned that the by-election could be postponed or cancelled altogether if the security situation does not improve.

"If conditions are not favourable for IEBC to conduct elections there, we will either postpone or cancel the election altogether. We cannot operate under the kind of violence we are seeing," he warned. 

Meanwhile, Ol Kalou residents highlighted the issues they want their next Member of Parliament to prioritise.

"Tukichaguliwa mbunge mwenye atatutatulia tatizo ya vijana na wamama, tutafurahia. Na tena mashule zetu, kumekauka huku nje lakini nyinyi hamwezi jua," said Mary Kimani, a resident.

"Ningetaka mbunge analeta youth empowerment, mwenye analeta development kutoka roads, maji na stima," said Francis Kariuki.

"Kama ni sports hapa hakuna. Kama ni ground ya kuchezea, vijana wanasema kazi yao ni kurandaranda. Sisi tunataka hiyo grao watuletee," said Eliud Kariuki.

Residents stated that while several development projects are currently underway, largely due to the by-election, much more still needs to be done.

"Kilimo cha pyrethrum, ningeomba hizo industries zirudishwe ndiyo vijana wapate kazi, tuwache kukaa tu hivi," said Thomas Kimani.

"Sisi tunataka wazee wale hawajiwezi washughulikiwe. Kitu ya pili, aangalie watoto wanatoka kwa familia hazijiwezi," said Martha Shiku.