Amnesty International Kenya Sunday called on 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 alleged election offences that it says threaten the integrity of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026.
In a statement, the human rights organisation alleged that the campaigns have been marred by widespread voter bribery, intimidation, misuse of public resources, and the involvement of public officers in partisan political activities, all of which are prohibited under Kenya’s Election Offences Act.
According to Amnesty Kenya, reports from the constituency indicate that voters have allegedly been induced with cash, mattresses, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, food items and other gifts. The organisation also raised concerns over the alleged use of government development projects to influence voters ahead of the poll.
The rights group further cited violent confrontations between rival political supporters that have reportedly resulted in injuries and deaths, alongside claims that chiefs and local administrators are mobilising voters in favour of particular candidates, contrary to the law.
Amnesty argued that such actions undermine the constitutional guarantee of free and fair elections under Article 38 and violate Article 81 of the Constitution, which requires elections to be conducted free from violence, intimidation, improper influence and corruption.
The organisation also condemned an attack on a campaign truck belonging to the Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) Party in Gilgil on July 11, 2026.
It alleged that hooded, armed assailants attacked the vehicle during campaign activities, describing the incident as evidence of a growing climate of political violence and impunity surrounding the by-election.
Amnesty International Kenya urged authorities to immediately investigate and prosecute all individuals implicated in electoral offences, including Members of Parliament, Cabinet Secretaries and other public officers found to have violated election laws.
It also called for stricter enforcement of campaign regulations, including measures against late-night rallies and the destruction of campaign materials.
Additionally, the organisation asked the IEBC to publicly assure Kenyans that the by-election will only proceed under conditions that meet minimum standards of credibility, saying postponement should remain an option if violence and corruption cannot be effectively addressed.
Amnesty further appealed for the protection of journalists, human rights defenders and voters participating in the electoral process, stressing that safeguarding political rights is essential to upholding Kenya’s democratic values.
“The credibility of the 2027 General Election begins with accountability in Ol Kalou,” Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director George Morara said, urging all state institutions and political actors to act swiftly to restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process.
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