Amnesty International Kenya has called for immediate investigations and prosecution of all individuals, including Members of Parliament, Cabinet Secretaries and public officers, accused of bribery, intimidation, violence and misuse of state resources ahead of the Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026.
In a statement on Sunday, the rights organisation said reports from Ol Kalou pointed to widespread voter inducement, misuse of government projects, violent clashes between rival supporters and the alleged involvement of chiefs and administrators in mobilising voters in violation of the law.
Amnesty urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to urgently investigate and prosecute election offences, warning that the alleged violations could undermine the credibility of the by-election.
“Kenya's Election Offences Act prohibits bribery, intimidation, misuse of public resources, and the involvement of public officers in partisan campaigns. Yet reports from Ol Kalou reveal widespread voter inducement through cash handouts, mattresses, LPG cylinders, and food items; misuse of government projects timed to sway voters; violent clashes between rival supporters, resulting in injuries and deaths; and allegations that chiefs and administrators are mobilising voters in violation of the law,” Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director George Morara said.
The organisation also expressed concern over violent confrontations between supporters of rival political groups, saying the clashes had left several people injured and others dead.
According to Amnesty, the reported incidents are not isolated cases but part of a broader pattern that threatens Kenyans' constitutional right under Article 38 to participate in free, fair and credible elections.
It added that the alleged actions also contravene Article 81 of the Constitution, which requires elections to be conducted without violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption.
Amnesty further condemned the July 11, 2026 attack on a campaign truck belonging to the Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) Party in Gilgil, where hooded, gun-wielding goons reportedly attacked the vehicle.
The organisation said the incident reflected the growing insecurity and lack of accountability surrounding campaigns for the Ol Kalou by-election.
“Such brazen acts of violence against political opponents participating in a legitimate, democratic exercise of campaigning highlight the growing climate of impunity and insecurity surrounding the Ol Kalou by-election campaigns,” Amnesty said.
It warned that such attacks threaten lives, undermine the rule of law and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
“The people of Ol Kalou deserve to choose their leaders free from coercion, inducement, and fear,” Morara said.
Amnesty also called for strict enforcement of campaign regulations, including restrictions on late-night rallies and the destruction of campaign materials.
The organisation urged the IEBC to assure the public that the by-election would not proceed under conditions characterised by violence and corruption, adding that postponement should remain an option if the minimum standards for a credible election cannot be guaranteed.
It further called for the protection of journalists, human rights defenders and voters exercising their constitutional rights under Article 38.
“Kenya cannot afford to normalise electoral malpractice. The credibility of the 2027 General Election begins with accountability in Ol Kalou. The State, together with all players in the political and electoral system, must act now to restore public trust and safeguard democracy,” Amnesty said.
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