Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia addressing residents of Rurii ward on July 9, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA
Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia has criticised the IEBC's warning that it could postpone the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election if insecurity and electoral code violations persist, saying the move would deny residents their constitutional right to representation.
Kaguchia said claims of insecurity and alleged electoral malpractice cited as grounds for a possible postponement should not be used to deny voters the opportunity to elect their representative.
He said the people of Ol Kalou had gone for a long period without representation in the National Assembly and should not have their right to elect a leader delayed because of what he described as isolated incidents.
The MP said security agencies have the mandate to deal with individuals suspected of planning or participating in violence.
“The answer to electoral violence cannot be to punish innocent voters by denying them representation. If there are persons suspected of planning, funding or participating in violence, the State has the full power to arrest and prosecute them,” he said.
Kaguchia also claimed there were efforts to suppress voter turnout, alleging that some groups were planning to intimidate residents and discourage them from going to polling stations.
His remarks followed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) warning that it could postpone or even cancel the Ol Kalou by-election if insecurity and breaches of the electoral code of conduct persist.
Speaking in Nairobi during the launch of the 2022 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) Report and Case Digest on Thursday, IEBC chair Erastus Ethekon said the commission would not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers if the situation on the ground continued to deteriorate.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of the area MP, prompting the IEBC to schedule a by-election on July 16 to enable residents to elect a new representative.
Candidates in the race have already invested time and resources in their campaigns, with Kaguchia saying postponing the poll at this stage would affect the competitiveness of the contest and disadvantage some candidates.
