The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has outlined strict guidelines for voters, political parties, candidates and agents ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16.
Speaking at a multi-agency briefing on July 14 attended by security agencies and other stakeholders, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon affirmed that preparations for the by-election were complete.
He stated that the procurement and delivery of election materials, the gazettement of candidates, the training of officials, and the testing of election technology had been undertaken by the IEBC.
He added that ballot papers and ballot boxes had been dispatched to Nyandarua County, while polling stations and tallying centers were ready ahead of the vote.
The IEBC has also certified, gazetted and displayed the voters' register at polling stations to allow voters to verify their details.
Campaigns Officially Ended on July 13
Erastus further reminded candidates and their supporters that campaigns officially ended on July 13. "The commission reminds all stakeholders that the campaign officially ended yesterday, on Monday, 13th of July 2026, at 6 p.m., in line with the gazetted election timelines," Erastus noted.
The IEBC warned that any continued campaigning constitutes an electoral offence. "Anybody engaged in further campaigns contrary to the law is committing an electoral offence and is in breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct," he warned.
This means that as of Monday evening, all candidates and their supporters were required to cease all campaign activities, allowing voters a 48-hour cooling-off period before they head to the polls on Thursday.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of area MP David Kiaraho in March 2026.
Nine candidates are seeking to succeed the late MP. Although nine candidates are on the ballot, the race has largely narrowed into a political duel between President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA), whose candidate is Samuel Nyagah, and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), which has fronted Sammy Ngotho.
Political observers have described the contest as one of the costliest constituency elections in recent history.
No Original ID, No Vote
The commission urged all registered voters to report to polling stations with valid national identity cards or passports. "To vote, you MUST PRESENT YOUR ORIGINAL NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD or a VALID KENYAN PASSPORT at your designated polling station," the poll agency said.
Further, the chairman said identification will be conducted using biometric technology, including fingerprints and facial recognition features captured in its database.
Erastus dismissed claims that voters could cast ballots without identification documents, calling such claims misleading.
The Commission heard through a section of the media that a certain politician had urged the citizens of Ol Kalou not to show up with their ID cards or passports. "That is completely misleading. The commission is dealing with this matter decisively," Ethekon said.
He emphasized that every elector must present a valid physical identification document before being allowed to vote.
Voting Hours and Procedures
According to the commission, polling stations will open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Only voters who are in the queue by 5 p.m. will be allowed to vote, even if the process extends beyond the official closing time.
This means that even if you arrive late and find a long queue, as long as you are in line before 5 p.m., you will still be allowed to cast your ballot.
Voting will take place in 144 polling stations spread across the constituency's five wards: Rurii, Kanjuiri Ridge, Karau, Kaimbaga, and Mirangine.
The Register of Voters is a public document which, by law, must be printed and displayed at every polling station at least seven days before polling day.
The register has been displayed at all polling stations within the constituency to enable voters to confirm their registration details.
Ban on Party Colours and Political Paraphernalia
In addition, the commission noted that no voters will be allowed into a polling station while wearing party-branded clothing, badges, symbols, or other political paraphernalia.
"We wish to remind the public and supporters of political candidates that we shall not admit any person who is wearing a badge, clothing or symbol or any other item signifying support for a political party or candidate," Ethekon said.
The chair said the commission will strictly enforce the regulations at polling stations to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
This measure is intended to preserve the neutrality of the voting environment and prevent any form of voter intimidation or undue influence at the polling stations.
Ban on Photos of Marked Ballots
The commission warned voters against taking photographs of marked ballot papers, saying doing so violates the secrecy of the vote and is an offense under the Elections Offenses Act.
"We saw individuals take pictures of marked ballots and circulated them on social media. We wish to remind Kenyans and indeed the voters of Ol Kalou, please do not take a picture of your ballot paper once you mark it.
The sanctity and the secrecy of the vote require that you keep it secret," Ethekon said. He warned that offenders risk prosecution, a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
To counter alleged vote-buying schemes in which voters are pressured to photograph marked ballot papers, the commission also prohibited mobile phones and other communication devices inside voting booths.
"The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited inside the voting screen. This is to secure the absolute secrecy of the ballot," Ethekon said.
Rules for Assisted Voters
The IEBC clarified that voters requiring assistance due to disability or illiteracy may be assisted by a person of their choice, emphasizing that only one individual may assist one voter. Ethekon said such voters have the freedom to choose who assists them.
"The law allows that those voters can be assisted by a person of their choice. So nobody should force anybody to be assisted.
If they wish to be assisted and our officials have verified that the person requires assistance, let that person choose a person of his or her choice to assist that person," he said.
He also cautioned against individuals moving from one voter to another under the guise of offering assistance. "No one person is allowed to assist more than one voter.
We will not see a situation where one person is hovering around the polling stations and purporting to be assisting one voter after another. It is only one person to assist one voter, end of story," Ethekon said.
Strict Accreditation for Agents
The commission announced strict accreditation requirements for political party and candidate agents. Each candidate or political party will be allowed only one agent per polling station and one chief agent at the constituency tallying center, and all agents must carry IEBC-issued accreditation badges.
"Each participating political party or candidate is entitled to appoint one agent at each polling station at each polling station and one chief agent at the tallying centre," Ethekon stated.
Ethekon expressed concern over the emergence of individuals he described as "super agents" during recent by-elections.
"In previous by-elections, we observed individuals behaving like 'super agents' by attempting to interfere with the peaceful conduct of elections.
We want to state categorically that we will not allow that to happen in Ol Kalou," he stated.
"We will not allow anybody, whether a senior politician or a leader in this country, who has not been cleared and accredited by the IEBC, to come with their security or supporters to disturb the peace at polling stations," Ethekon said.
The IEBC warned that only accredited individuals would be allowed into polling stations. "We shall not allow anybody or super agents to roam around our polling stations," he said.
Concerns Over Violence and Voter Bribery
The IEBC chairperson also raised concerns over reports of voter bribery, intimidation, violence and the alleged mobilization of gangs to disrupt political activities during the campaign period.
According to Ethekon, some politicians accused of electoral malpractices have already been summoned by the commission's Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee.
Speaking during the launch of the 2022 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) Report and Case Digest, Erastus Ethekon stated that investigators had been deployed to investigate allegations and reported violations of election laws.
He warned that investigations into reported cases of voter bribery, violence and other electoral offenses are ongoing and that any person found culpable will face sanctions under the law.
The IEBC also warned candidates and political parties that the campaign period has officially ended and any further canvassing for votes will attract criminal sanctions.
Security Arrangements
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja assured residents of adequate security throughout the electoral process, saying the National Police Service had deployed more than 1,000 officers to safeguard polling stations, election materials and voters.
"We are fully prepared to ensure the people of Ol Kalou exercise their democratic right in a free, fair, peaceful and secure environment," the Inspector General said.
He added that specialised police units, standby response teams, water cannons and Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officers had also been deployed to respond swiftly to any security incidents or electoral offences.
The Inspector General appealed to residents not to allow themselves to be used to disrupt the electoral process, affirming that the National Police Service would remain vigilant throughout the exercise to guarantee public safety and protect the integrity of the by-election.
Transparent Tallying Process
Ethekon concluded by assuring candidates and voters that the tallying process would be conducted openly and transparently. "The results management and declaration process will be transparent.
Agents will be allowed to take photos of Form 34A and send them to their candidates. Ballot boxes will be counted and results tabulated in an open and transparent process," he said.
While marked ballot papers will remain confidential, agents will be allowed to photograph the official Form 34A results, which will also be publicly displayed before constituency tallying begins. Results will simultaneously be uploaded to the Commission's public portal.
"We urge all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, agents, the media and voters, to respect the law, uphold peace before, during and after polling, and refrain from any actions that may compromise the secrecy or integrity of the election," Ethekon said.
The IEBC has made it clear that there will be no shortcuts on Thursday. From the strict requirement for original IDs to the ban on party colours and the warning against "super agents," the commission is leaving nothing to chance.
Voters in Ol Kalou are urged to turn out early, carry their identification documents, and follow the rules to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
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