Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to move quickly and resolve delays affecting elderly voters during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Malala, who toured polling stations in Ol Kalou on Thursday, said voting had started peacefully, with many residents turning up to participate in the election despite earlier claims of possible intimidation. However, he raised concerns over slow identification of some elderly voters by the KIEMS kits, saying the delays were affecting the speed of the voting process.
"The only concern we have is that the KIEMS kits are a bit slow. We urge the IEBC to address any technical issues that may be causing the delays," Malala said.
He explained that the problem was not necessarily due to a failure of the KIEMS system but was mainly linked to difficulties some elderly voters were experiencing when their fingerprints were being scanned.
"As for the KIEMS kits, the delays are not necessarily due to system failure. In many cases, elderly voters' fingerprints are taking longer to be recognised. We have spoken with the IEBC, and they have assured us they will provide a special KIEMS kit or alternative arrangements for elderly voters so they do not have to remain in the queue for too long," he added.
Malala urged voters, especially elderly citizens, women and young people, to remain patient and avoid leaving polling stations before casting their ballots despite the delays.
"No matter how long it takes, please do not get tired or leave the queue. Stay patient and continue exercising your democratic right," he said.
The DCP official also questioned the conduct of security officers deployed during the by-election, calling for all officers to be easily identified while carrying out their duties.
He demanded that police officers deployed to maintain security during the poll wear proper uniforms and display their official service numbers to ensure they can be held responsible for their actions.
"We want every police officer to be accountable for their actions, and we demand that they display their official service numbers so that the people of Ol Kalou know who they are dealing with," he said.
Malala further raised concerns over government vehicles allegedly operating within the constituency without number plates, insisting that all official vehicles must have proper identification.
"We will not allow any government vehicle—or any vehicle at all—to operate without proper identification," he said.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election kicked off at 6am following the death of former MP David Kiaraho, who won the seat on a Jubilee Party ticket during the 2022 General Election.
A total of nine candidates are competing for the seat, including United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah and DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho.
IEBC said polling stations opened as scheduled and voting would continue until 5pm. The commission noted that voters who would still be in queues by the official closing time would be allowed to cast their ballots.
The electoral body also reminded voters that the secrecy of the ballot is protected by the Constitution, warning that taking photographs or recording a marked ballot paper amounts to an electoral offence.