'Ol Kalou by-election will reveal fate of 2027 polls': Opposition warns IEBC, police

The opposition coalition operating under the banner of the United Alternative Government has declared that Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election will be a litmus test for Kenya's electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The coalition warned that the conduct of both the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and security agencies will determine public confidence in next year's polls.

In a statement read by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a press briefing attended by People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and her Democratic Party (DP) counterpart Justin Muturi, the opposition said the by-election had taken on national significance amid growing concerns over political violence.

"What happens on Thursday will demonstrate whether or not you are an impartial arbiter and secondly your capacity to hold a free, fair and credible general election," Kalonzo said, addressing the IEBC.

The coaltion urged the electoral commission to enforce the law impartially and sanction anyone found violating electoral laws, including those accused of orchestrating violence.

The leaders linked their concerns to what they described as an emerging pattern of politically motivated violence, citing incidents that occurred over the weekend in Kisumu and Nyahururu.

According to the statement, the events "should concern every Kenyan, regardless of political affiliation," as they point to "a dangerous and growing pattern of political violence that threatens our constitutional democracy, national cohesion, and the rule of law."

The coalition said reports indicated confrontations occurred around a church service in Kisumu attended by opposition leaders, while separate violent incidents were reported in Nyahururu.

It, however, called for "prompt, impartial and transparent investigations" to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incidents.

The leaders accused the government of failing to protect opposition stalwarts during lawful political activities, pointing to what it described as previous attacks on Kalonzo, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua and his DAP-K counterpart Eugene Wamalwa while travelling to Kikuyu for a political rally in April.

They also referenced an incident involving Karua, claiming she was attacked while accompanying clients during the implementation of High Court orders at Gatoto Primary School in Mukuru kwa Reuben despite court-directed security arrangements.

The coalition argued that such incidents raise questions about whether public institutions are discharging their constitutional responsibilities impartially.

While condemning the violence, the opposition cautioned Kenyans against retaliatory attacks.

"Kenya cannot become a nation where organised violence is answered by organised retaliation," Kalonzo stated, adding that normalising politically motivated violence would ultimately endanger all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

The leaders warned that ordinary Kenyans often bear the greatest cost of political unrest, saying traders lose businesses, boda boda operators lose motorcycles and families lose loved ones while those accused of inciting violence remain insulated from the consequences.

The coalition placed responsibility on President William Ruto's administration, arguing that the Head of State bears the constitutional duty of ensuring the country's security agencies uphold law and order.

It also criticised the National Police Service (NPS), saying officers are constitutionally required to protect all Kenyans "without fear, favour or political consideration."

“Unfortunately, the CS for Internal Security Kipchumba Murkomen and his PS Raymond Omollo are playing partisan politics which distorts the role of security agencies. We are aware of the mobilization of police from all corners of Kenya to Ol Kalou,” Kalonzo noted.

"We urge police deployed to Ol Kalou to perform their duties impartially and to reject any unlawful orders to violate the law and play partisan roles."

The Wiper boss added: “To the IEBC, police deployed to man elections are deemed to be electoral officials and are under your command. You must issue only lawful orders and any partisan engagement by police will be attributed to you if not acted upon.”

The opposition also called on political leaders across the divide to exercise restraint and avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could heighten tensions.

It urged the government to guarantee equal protection for all lawful political gatherings and appealed directly to Kenyans not to allow themselves to be recruited into violent groups or retaliatory attacks.

"Refuse to be recruited into gangs. Refuse to retaliate against fellow citizens. Protect one another, uphold the Constitution, and insist that political differences be resolved through lawful institutions, not through the streets," Kalonzo said.

"Our answer to violence must never be more violence. Our answer must be justice, constitutionalism and rule of law."