Opposition Rejects Bid to Delay Ol Kalou By-Election as Maraga, Kalonzo, Karua and Sifuna Demand IEBC Enforce Law
Kenya’s opposition leaders have firmly rejected any proposal to postpone the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, insisting that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must guarantee that the vote proceeds as scheduled on July 16 while taking decisive action against alleged electoral malpractice.
In a strongly worded joint statement issued on Friday, the leaders accused state agencies of failing to curb widespread voter inducement and misuse of public resources during the campaign period, warning that any attempt to delay the election would undermine the constitutional rights of voters.
The statement was jointly signed by former Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, Linda Mwananchi movement leader Edwin Sifuna, and Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i.
The opposition claimed there had been an unprecedented wave of voter bribery in the constituency, alleging that money and government-branded items were being distributed to influence voters ahead of polling day.
“For days, Kenyans have watched cash, GOK-branded mattresses, gas cylinders, impromptu projects not budgeted for, and other inducements being splashed to voters on a scale that is unprecedented,” the leaders said in the joint statement.
According to the opposition, the alleged distribution of public resources and campaign incentives constitutes a serious violation of Kenya’s electoral laws and threatens the credibility of the forthcoming by-election.
They urged the IEBC to resist any pressure to postpone the poll and instead ensure every eligible voter is given the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote on July 16.
The leaders further called on investigative and oversight agencies—including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)—to immediately investigate the reported incidents and prosecute anyone found culpable.
They argued that enforcement of the Elections Act should apply equally to all political actors regardless of their status, warning that failure to act would erode public confidence in the country’s electoral process.
The opposition maintained that credible elections can only be achieved through strict enforcement of electoral laws, transparency, and equal treatment of all candidates, insisting that allegations of voter bribery and misuse of state resources must be addressed without delaying the democratic process.
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