NYANDARUA, Kenya — Kenya’s electoral commission has warned politicians against interfering with polling stations during Thursday’s parliamentary by-election in Ol Kalou, saying only accredited officials, agents and observers will be allowed access as security agencies intensify measures to safeguard the vote.
Speaking during a joint briefing with the National Police Service on Tuesday 14, July 2026, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the Commission would not tolerate attempts by politicians or their supporters to disrupt voting under the guise of monitoring the election.
His remarks come days after the IEBC warned it could postpone or even cancel the by-election if insecurity, voter intimidation and violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct undermine the integrity of the poll.
IEBC warns against “super agents”
Ethekon criticised what he described as politicians acting as unofficial election supervisors by entering polling stations with supporters and interfering with election officials.
“There are politicians who purport to behave like super agents. They come to polling stations and try to disturb the peaceful conduct of elections,” Ethekon said.
“We won’t allow anybody—whether a senior politician or leader in this country who hasn’t been cleared by the IEBC—to come with their supporters to overrun a polling station. We’ve asked the police to help us deal with this.”
He stressed that no political leader, regardless of rank or office, would be permitted to interfere with voting or counting unless accredited by the Commission.
More than 1,000 police officers deployed
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said more than 1,000 police officers would be deployed across Ol Kalou Constituency to secure polling stations, election materials and tallying centres.
He said specialised security teams would also monitor illegal gatherings and respond to individuals attempting to disrupt the election.
“To the young people, do not allow yourselves to be used by anyone to cause disruption in Ol Kalou,” Kanja said.
The deployment forms part of a broader security plan involving the National Police Service and local security agencies aimed at ensuring peaceful voting.
IEBC tightens access to polling stations
The Commission also announced stricter controls on access to polling stations.
Political parties and independent candidates will be permitted to station only one accredited agent at each polling station and one at the constituency tallying centre.
Ethekon warned that individuals roaming between polling stations while claiming to represent candidates would not be allowed.
“We shall not allow anybody roaming around polling stations purporting to be agents if they’re not appointed by the parties or the candidates themselves,” he said.
The Commission said the measures are intended to minimise interference with voting and counting while improving order at polling centres.
Mobile phones banned inside voting booths
The IEBC reminded voters that mobile phones are prohibited inside voting booths.
Ethekon said photographing or recording a marked ballot paper is an offence under Kenya’s election laws and may attract criminal penalties, including imprisonment.
“Use of mobile phones in the voting booth is prohibited,” he said.
“I don’t know what motivates people to expose who they voted for.”
The restriction is intended to preserve ballot secrecy and deter vote-buying schemes that rely on photographic proof of voting choices.
Voters urged to carry identification documents
The Commission also dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that voters should not carry identification documents to polling stations.
Ethekon described the claims as misleading and reminded residents that every voter must present a valid national identity card or Kenyan passport before being allowed to vote.
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“A certain politician has urged the citizens of Ol Kalou not to show up with their IDs or passports. That’s completely misleading,” he said.
“All voters must turn out with valid ID cards or passports.”
The IEBC said it was addressing the matter and urged voters to rely only on official election information.
High-stakes by-election
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, following the death of area MP David Njuguna Kiaraho in March.
The IEBC has completed preparations, including appointing returning officers, accrediting election observers and finalising security arrangements.
The by-election is being closely watched as one of Kenya’s most significant electoral contests ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the IEBC saying it will enforce electoral laws strictly to safeguard the credibility of the poll.
