IEBC barks without biting as Ol Kalou by-election is marred by bribery, spending spree

Cash, projects dominate Ol Kalou by-election. [Julius Chep​kwony, Standard]

The government's generosity towards residents of Ol Kalou has increased dramatically during the ongoing campaigns, even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has threatened to postpone the by-election over alleged breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The commission says it has received disturbing reports from the constituency, including violent confrontations between rival supporters, late-night campaigns, destruction of campaign materials and the mobilisation of gangs.

Among the issues that have alarmed the commission is widespread voter inducement allegedly involving senior government officials who have camped in the constituency, distributing cash while public resources are being used to woo voters into supporting United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina against Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Kamau Ngotho.

On Tuesday, Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, a pro-government legislator, openly acknowledged the cash giveaways while defending the collection of recipients' national identity card details. He insisted the exercise was purely for accountability and had nothing to do with the July 16 parliamentary by-election.

"Nyinyi vijana labda hamjawai piga kura lakini nani alipiga kura 2022? Kuna kitambulisho ilikuwa inaitishwa? Kama ID haitishwi, unatumia kidole. Hutaitishwa ID na hata hutaitishwa kadi ya kura," Gikaria said.

He explained that identity card details were being recorded to verify that funds allocated to specific areas had reached the intended beneficiaries.

"Mimi nilipewa Sh250,000 jana na pia leo nimepewa Sh250,000. Wenye wananiitisha nataka kujua je uliongea na wapiga kura wa Githima na Nyakiangi. That's why they're asking for your IDs," he said.

The MP also disclosed that he had spent far more than initially planned after unexpectedly large crowds turned up.

"Jana tulikuwa hapa, tukaskizana, kuna mtu yeyote alifukuzwa? Lakini mimi nilikuwa na Sh250,000 ya mikutano ya jana. Watu wakajaa. I had to go home and get another Sh800,000. Jana pekee yake hapa kwenu, nilitumia Sh1.2 million," he said.

Residents are reportedly receiving between Sh1,000 and Sh3,000 to attend campaign meetings as Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries pitch camp in the constituency to bolster the government's campaign.

Former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria recently announced plans to invest Sh10 billion in the constituency ahead of the by-election.

Electricity poles have been delivered across the constituency, while a commuter train service was launched three months ago for the first time since Independence in the presence of senior government officials and the ruling party's candidate.

The government has also distributed gas cylinders, GOK-branded mattresses and bedsheets, while senior officials have handed out free shoes to women in what critics describe as a vote-hunting mission.

The constituency has suddenly become a focal point of the Kenya Kwanza administration. National events, including this year's World Environment Day celebrations, were moved to Ol Kalou, where they were held at the Arboretum Grounds on June 5.

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has also visited the constituency to issue title deeds and launch affordable housing projects.

Critics have faulted the IEBC for failing to act against State officers accused of conducting door-to-door campaigns for the ruling party, arguing that their actions violate multiple provisions of the Constitution and electoral laws.

Curiously, however, residents of Mbeere North, where the last parliamentary by-election was held, say they have been plunged into darkness after electricity transformers installed during the run-up to the mini poll were removed by government operatives.

According to advocate Wilson Ndegwa, the violations include Section 14 of the Election Offences Act, which criminalises the use of public resources for campaigns; Section 26 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, which requires State officers to remain politically neutral; Section 25 of the Conflict-of-Interest Act, 2025; and the Electoral Code of Conduct, which bars public officers from engaging in partisan political campaigns.

Yesterday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon confirmed that the commission had received allegations of widespread voter bribery, interference by State officials and the mobilisation of gangs, warning that the incidents threaten both voter safety and the credibility of the election.

"We will be firm in enforcing the Code of Conduct. Those found culpable will face the sanctions provided for under the law," he said.

Ethekon warned that if the security situation deteriorated further, the commission would have no option but to postpone the by-election.

"If we find that the environment is not conducive enough for us to conduct the election, we shall have no choice but to postpone it. That would be a sad day for the residents of Ol Kalou because they would lose the opportunity to elect their representative," he said.

For many residents, however, the by-election has brought an unexpected windfall.

For years, Simon Kamau, a fisherman at Gwa Kiongo Dam, petitioned the government to provide boats, fishing nets and other equipment to improve the livelihoods of local fishermen.

He said he first submitted the request in 2006 and again in 2010, but neither appeal received a response. Repeated pleas to the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho also bore no fruit.

That changed after Kiaraho's death triggered the by-election.

Officials from the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries visited the area, promising support. They later installed fish cages and delivered two boats, fishing nets, fingerlings and fish feed.

"It finally happened," Kamau said, adding that development should never depend on elections.

His sentiments echo those of many residents who welcome the roads, electricity projects, railway revival, gas cylinders and farming inputs but question why the projects only materialised after the by-election was called.

For Magdalene Njoki of Huruma village, receiving a mattress and a gas cooker felt like a dream.

"I never imagined I would own these things," she said.

John Gathu proudly carried home his first gas cylinder.

"My children will be shocked. I've never cooked using gas in my life," he said.

Outside the Mirangine Assistant County Commissioner's office, hundreds queued on Wednesday to receive LPG cylinders, while others left carrying avocado seedlings intended to boost household incomes.

"We are happy to see roads, electricity and other projects finally coming. Our only prayer is that they continue after the by-election. We don't want to be remembered only during campaigns," said resident Peter Ngige.

The government has also unveiled several flagship projects, including the revival of the Nairobi-Gilgil-Ol Kalou-Nyahururu railway line after nearly five decades, a Sh26 million women's empowerment programme, support initiatives for widows, digital hubs, the upgrading of the 23-kilometre Kwa Haraka-Kageraini-Rwanyambo-Karangathe road, the establishment of Nyandarua University and the commissioning of hostels at Ol Kalou Technical and Vocational College.

Mr Muchina has attended nearly every project launch alongside CSs and PSs, reinforcing opposition claims that government development projects are being intertwined with campaign activities.

The developments have revived memories of the 1995 Kipipiri by-election, when former President Daniel Moi ordered electricity poles erected across the constituency in support of a Kanu candidate. Despite the move, voters elected Democratic Party candidate Githiomi Mwangi, giving rise to the enduring political phrase, "Moi aonja pilipili Kipipiri".

Supporters of the government argue that residents should not be denied development simply because a by-election is underway.

Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau said the projects had been approved in the previous financial year's budget and were not initiated because of the election.

"These are not new projects because of the by-election. They were proposed by the late MP, approved by the government and are now being implemented," she said.

Gikaria also dismissed claims that the projects were campaign handouts, insisting they had been planned long before the death of Kiaraho.

As chairperson of the National Assembly Energy Committee, he defended the rollout of the Gas Yetu programme, saying it is part of the national clean cooking energy strategy approved in the 2026/27 Budget and is being implemented across the country.

"Residents pay Sh1,500 to register and receive the gas package. In Ol Kalou alone, we had set aside more than 40,000 cylinders," he said.

Gikaria added that the UDA campaign had remained largely peaceful despite a few isolated incidents and urged residents to elect leaders based on their ability to serve the constituency rather than political rhetoric.

But critics remain unconvinced, arguing that projects which had stalled for years have sprung back to life following the announcement of the by-election.

Former Speaker Ndegwa Wahome said the timing inevitably raises questions.

"We are still mourning our late MP, yet suddenly all these projects are being launched. Did he hold the key to the railway that has now been revived?" he asked.