NAIROBI, Kenya—The opposition has raised fresh concerns over the credibility of Thursday’s Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of presiding over a growing wave of political violence and calling on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure a free, fair and peaceful poll.
Speaking on behalf of the opposition coalition on Tuesday, former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi claimed recent incidents of political violence in Kisumu and Nyahururu reflected what he described as an emerging pattern of intolerance that threatens Kenya’s constitutional democracy and peaceful political competition.
Muturi said confrontations reported over the weekend during a church service attended by opposition leaders in Kisumu, alongside separate incidents in Nyahururu, should be investigated independently and transparently to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence.
“The Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to assemble peacefully, associate freely, move without intimidation and participate in political life. No Kenyan should fear attending a church service, a political meeting or any lawful public gathering,” he said.
The opposition further linked the latest incidents to what it termed a series of attacks targeting its leaders, citing previous confrontations in Kikuyu involving Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, as well as an alleged attack involving People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua during the implementation of High Court orders in Mukuru kwa Reuben.
Muturi questioned whether the National Police Service was executing its constitutional mandate impartially, arguing that failure to investigate previous incidents had eroded public confidence in security agencies.
He also alleged that police officers had been deployed from different parts of the country ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, claiming the move had heightened anxiety among voters and political stakeholders.
“The buck stops with President William Ruto. As Head of State and Government, he bears the greatest responsibility to ensure the country’s security agencies perform their constitutional duty of maintaining law and order,” Muturi said.
Laxity
He further accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo of engaging in partisan politics, allegations the government has previously denied.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka urged security officers assigned to the July 16 by-election to remain professional and resist any unlawful directives that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Kalonzo reminded the IEBC that all security officers deployed during elections operate under the commission’s authority while performing election-related duties and urged the electoral agency to enforce the law without fear or favour.
He further challenged the commission to take action against anyone found violating electoral laws or orchestrating violence, irrespective of their political affiliation or status.
The opposition maintained that the conduct of the Ol Kalou by-election would serve as a key test of the IEBC’s independence and preparedness to deliver a credible General Election in 2027.
It also called on the government to guarantee equal protection for all lawful political gatherings while urging Kenyans to reject political violence and resist attempts to recruit young people into criminal gangs for political activities.
The coalition appealed to all political leaders to exercise restraint and allow democratic competition to take place peacefully, insisting that political differences should be resolved through constitutional and lawful means rather than intimidation and violence.
