Gachagua alleges police shooting left one dead, 20 injured in Ol Kalou

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that one person was killed and 20 others injured during violence surrounding the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, calling for investigations and accountability over the incident.

Speaking during a press conference on Friday, Gachagua identified the deceased as James Mwigai from Kaimbaga Ward, Ol Kalou Constituency, and claimed that 20 others were hospitalised with gunshot wounds and head injuries.

He praised residents who participated in the election, saying they remained firm despite what he described as intimidation and violence during the voting exercise.

Gachagua said the by-election victory had come at a high cost, adding that the loss of life and injuries should be investigated to establish what happened.

“It is with profound sorrow that I must inform the people of Kenya that this violence claimed a life. James Mwigai of Kaimbaga Ward was shot and killed by police men,” Gachagua said. “20 people are in the hospital with gunshot wounds and head injuries....”

His remarks came after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen directed security agencies to investigate violence and disruptions reported during Thursday’s Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

Murkomen said anyone found responsible for causing chaos during the electoral process should be arrested and prosecuted, regardless of their affiliation or who deployed them.

“Let me assure Kenyans that the Inspector General of Police deployed enough officers to provide security in Ol Kalou. These allegations of some other persons causing havoc in Ol Kalou must be investigated thoroughly, and anyone found culpable must be arrested regardless of what they were doing and who deployed them to Ol Kalou,” Murkomen said.

He added that accountability must apply to all individuals involved, stressing that no one should be protected if found to have disrupted the electoral process.

The CS said the government would not tolerate violence during elections and urged all stakeholders to uphold peace and order.

Reports indicated that chaos erupted at some polling stations as voting entered its final hours despite the deployment of more than 1,000 police officers to the constituency. Journalists were reportedly assaulted, cameras confiscated, and teargas used to disperse crowds.