The Elections Observation Group (ELOG) has raised concerns over alleged vote buying, campaign disruptions and election-related violence ahead of Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, warning that the reported incidents could compromise the credibility of the poll despite notable progress in election preparedness.
The by-election will be held on July 16, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by the death of three-term MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, who passed away on March 29, 2026, while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital.
The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula subsequently declared the seat vacant, prompting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to schedule the by-election.
Nine candidates from various political parties are contesting the seat, with the race expected to be a closely watched political contest between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In its preliminary pre-election assessment released on Wednesday, ELOG said the findings were based on reports from 15 Long Term Observers deployed across the constituency's five wards to monitor electoral preparations, political party activities, campaigns, election management, security, and other factors likely to affect the integrity of the electoral process.
The observer mission was conducted under ELOG's electoral cycle approach, which views elections as a continuous process rather than a single-day event.
According to the report, preparations by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had progressed, with 92 percent of observer reports indicating that the commission was training election officials ahead of polling day.
The report also found that 45 percent of observer reports indicated the IEBC was conducting voter education activities, while 54 percent reported that civil society organisations were also implementing voter education initiatives across the constituency.
Despite the progress in election preparedness, ELOG said the campaign period had been characterised by practices raising concerns over compliance with legal and ethical standards.
The organisation reported that 15 percent of observer reports contained allegations of attempts by political parties or independent candidates to purchase National Identity Cards from members of the public, particularly in Mirangine and Karau wards.
It also noted that 33.2 percent of observer reports documented incidents in which political party or independent candidate campaign activities were disrupted, limiting the ability of candidates to freely engage with voters.
ELOG further highlighted concerns over campaign financing and voter inducement.
According to the report, 79 percent of observer reports indicated that new development projects were initiated during the campaign period and were perceived to be intended to influence voter support for particular candidates or political parties.
In addition, 86 percent of reports indicated that political parties or candidates distributed food, household items and other campaign materials to voters, while 43 percent reported politicians organising harambees during the campaign period.
The organisation stated that "These practices raise concerns regarding the use of money in elections to influence voter choice and warrant close attention by the relevant enforcement agencies."
ELOG also documented reports of widespread vote buying involving cash and material incentives allegedly linked to actors from nearly all participating political parties, with leaders affiliated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) featuring most prominently in observer reports.
According to the report, inducements allegedly included cash ranging from Sh200 to more than Sh5,000, as well as gas cylinders, mattresses, shoes and other household items.
The observer mission also documented several security incidents, including an attack on a Democratic Congress Party (DCP) campaign strategy meeting at Royal Gardens Getaway that reportedly left one person with fatal head injuries.
It also reported violence during a UDA-organised football tournament after promised payments to players and supporters reportedly failed to materialise.
ELOG further urged relevant institutions to closely monitor the reported incidents to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process ahead of polling day.