More than 1,000 police officers have been deployed across Ol Kalou Constituency in Nyandarua County as security agencies move to guarantee a peaceful and credible parliamentary by-election taking place on Thursday.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced the extensive security operation following a multi-agency meeting involving the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and other security agencies, assuring residents that all measures have been put in place to safeguard voters, election officials and electoral materials.
According to the National Police Service, every one of the constituency’s 114 polling stations has been assigned at least two police officers to secure the voting process and protect election materials. Additional reinforcement teams have also been strategically positioned to respond to any security incidents that may arise during the exercise.
To bolster security further, the police have deployed four platoons of the General Service Unit (GSU), four platoons from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and four water cannons for crowd management should the need arise. Inspector General Kanja said the deployment is intended to ensure that residents exercise their constitutional right to vote in a peaceful, secure and transparent environment.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election has attracted national attention, with the contest widely viewed as a significant political showdown between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Political analysts say the outcome could offer an early indication of the shifting political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Security agencies have urged voters to remain peaceful, avoid acts of violence and cooperate with law enforcement officers throughout the polling process. Police have also warned against voter intimidation, electoral offences and any attempts to disrupt the exercise, saying officers will act decisively against anyone found breaking the law.
The heightened security presence follows weeks of intense campaigns and heightened political activity in the constituency, with authorities expressing confidence that the coordinated deployment will help maintain law and order while allowing the electoral process to proceed without interference.
About the Author
