Amnesty International Kenya has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to urgently investigate and prosecute alleged election offences ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, warning that bribery, violence, and misuse of public resources are threatening the credibility of the vote.
The rights organisation said reports emerging from the constituency point to widespread voter inducement, attacks on political supporters and the alleged involvement of public officers in partisan campaigns, describing the incidents as a direct violation of Kenyans' constitutional right to free and fair elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Executive Director, George Morara, Amnesty said Kenya's Election Offences Act expressly prohibits bribery, intimidation, misuse of public resources, and the participation of public officers in partisan campaigns.
However, it alleged that reports from Ol Kalou indicate "widespread voter inducement through cash handouts, mattresses, LPG cylinders, and food items; misuse of government projects timed to sway voters; violent clashes between rival supporters, resulting in injuries and deaths; and allegations that chiefs and administrators are mobilising voters in violation of the law."
"These practices are not isolated incidents; they represent a systematic assault on the constitutional right of Kenyans under Article 38 to free, fair, and credible elections," the organisation said.
It added that the alleged incidents also contravene Article 81 of the Constitution, which requires elections to be conducted "free from violence, intimidation, improper influence, and corruption."
Amnesty also condemned the July 11 attack on a campaign truck belonging to the Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) Party in Gilgil, where it said hooded, armed men targeted political supporters.
"Such brazen acts of violence against political opponents participating in a legitimate, democratic exercise of campaigning highlight the growing climate of impunity and insecurity surrounding the Ol Kalou by-election campaigns," the statement read.
The organisation warned that the attacks "not only endanger lives but also undermine the rule of law, casting aspersions on electoral integrity."
Amnesty called for immediate investigations and prosecution of "all individuals, including Members of Parliament, Cabinet Secretaries, and public officers" implicated in bribery, intimidation and misuse of state resources.
It also urged strict enforcement of campaign regulations, protection of journalists, human rights defenders and voters, and public assurances from the IEBC that the by-election would not proceed under conditions of violence and corruption.
"The people of Ol Kalou deserve to choose their leaders free from coercion, inducement, and fear," the organisation said.
It concluded by warning that "Kenya cannot afford to normalize electoral malpractice," adding that "the credibility of the 2027 General Election begins with accountability in Ol Kalou. The State, together with all players in the political and electoral system, must act now to restore public trust and safeguard democracy."
The statement comes just days after IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon disclosed that the electoral commission had launched investigations into reports of voter bribery, violence, intimidation, illegal campaigns and the use of criminal gangs in the Ol Kalou campaigns.
The commission also warned it could postpone or even cancel the by-election if the environment is deemed unsafe and has since fined Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia Sh1.5 million for breaching the Electoral Code of Conduct over campaign remarks linked to the by-election.