Voting was disrupted. Chaos was witnessed. Journalists were attacked. Teargas was fired. Masked men were seen.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election descended into disorder on Thursday after violent confrontations broke out at several polling stations, raising fresh concerns about election security and press freedom.
The most serious incidents were reported at AC Primary School and Ol Kalou Comprehensive School, where hooded men, some carrying weapons and travelling in unmarked vehicles, were seen confronting crowds gathered outside polling centres.
Journalists Were Targeted
Members of the media were caught in the violence. Equipment was seized. Several journalists reported being assaulted while covering events.
Radio Africa Group journalist Enos Teche was injured after he was allegedly attacked by armed men. His camera was confiscated during the confrontation.
NTV cameraman George Kieru was also reported to have lost his camera. Witnesses said police officers were present during parts of the incident.
Crowds Were Dispersed
Panic was caused. Teargas was launched. Witnesses said canisters were fired from vehicles accompanying the masked group near AC Primary School.
Videos shared online appeared to show armed men attempting to disperse voters and onlookers. Other clips showed masked individuals chasing members of the public with batons.
Some voters who had already cast their ballots remained outside polling stations, saying they wanted to safeguard the integrity of the vote.
Claims Were Exchanged
Political accusations were made. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that plain-clothes officers and political operatives were attempting to interfere with the election.
“Having sensed defeat, UDA-allied MPs are allegedly meeting with rogue police officers to storm major polling stations, disrupt voting and stuff ballot boxes,” he wrote on X.
He urged the Inspector General of Police to intervene and called on election observers and the media to monitor key polling stations.
The allegations had not been independently verified.
Security Warning Was Issued
A warning was delivered. Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha said any vehicle operating without number plates would be impounded.
“Kila mtu ajue ni hatia kuendesha gari ambalo halina number plates,” he said.
He also reminded political supporters and unauthorised persons to remain at least 400 metres away from polling stations, in line with electoral regulations.
Election Carried National Weight
The by-election was triggered by the death of longtime MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, who died in March after serving the constituency for more than a decade.
Although the vote was held to elect a new constituency representative, it has drawn national attention. The contest has widely been viewed as an early political test ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
Authorities are expected to investigate the reported violence as vote counting proceeds.
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