The polls have opened. Voting is underway in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with residents across the Nyandarua constituency casting their ballots to elect a new Member of Parliament.
Polling stations opened on schedule on Thursday morning, and election officials reported a calm start. Early queues were seen at several polling centres as voters arrived to cast their ballots.
Smooth Start Reported
A peaceful opening was reported at Rurii Primary School. No major incidents were recorded during the early hours of voting.
Steady lines also formed at Huruma Primary School and other polling stations across the constituency. Election officials said the process had begun as planned.
Candidates Cast Their Votes
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah was expected to vote at Huruma Primary School in Kaimbaga Ward early in the morning.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru was scheduled to cast his ballot later at AC Primary School in Ol Kalou.
Jubilee Party candidate Wilson Kigwa was expected to vote at Kandutura Primary School. People’s Renaissance Movement candidate Timothy Kariuki was also scheduled to vote at Kieni Secondary School.
Thousands Eligible to Vote
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has established 144 polling stations across the constituency. A total of 73,480 registered voters are eligible to take part in the election.
Polling stations will remain open until the official closing time, with voters already in the queue at closing allowed to cast their ballots.
Seat Left Vacant
The by-election was triggered by the death of former MP David Njuguna Kiaraho on March 29. Kiaraho represented Ol Kalou for more than a decade after winning elections in 2013, 2017 and 2022.
His death left one of Mt Kenya’s closely watched parliamentary seats vacant.
National Spotlight Falls on Race
Nine candidates have been cleared by the IEBC to contest the seat. However, attention has largely focused on the contest between UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah, DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru and Jubilee’s Wilson Kigwa.
Although local issues such as farming, roads and healthcare have featured prominently, the contest has also drawn national attention.
Political analysts and party leaders have portrayed the race as an early test of political influence in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Campaign Marked by Tensions
The campaign period ended on Monday after weeks of intense political activity. Allegations of voter bribery and misuse of state resources were raised during the campaigns.
Those claims have featured prominently in the political debate.
The IEBC has repeatedly urged all candidates and their supporters to respect electoral laws and allow voters to exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
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