Ol Kalou Campaigns Wind Down at 6:00 PM as Polls Loom
Campaign activities in Ol Kalou constituency reached their final stretch on Monday, with candidates making last-minute appeals to voters ahead of the official cutoff at 6 pm.
The by-election, scheduled for Thursday, July 16, has seen intense competition marked by rallies, church visits, sports events, and house-to-house outreach across the area. Leaders from various parties urged residents to embrace peace and focus on choosing their next parliamentary representative without fear or coercion.
Major contenders including UDA's Muchina Nyaga, Jubilee's Wilson Kigwa, and DCP's Kamau Ngotho intensified efforts in the closing hours. Nyaga called on locals to ignore predictions of violence, highlighting the constituency's history of peaceful polls and dismissing claims of unfair advantages. Other candidates reflected on challenges like alleged malpractices while expressing confidence in their track records and voter support. Smaller parties raised concerns about the dominance of big players and the need for more focus on local issues rather than personal attacks.
The campaign period faced accusations of voter bribery, hate speech, intimidation, and misuse of public resources, prompting fines and warnings from the IEBC. Despite these tensions, many clergy and community figures appealed for tolerance, emphasizing that true leadership should respect democratic choices. Security agencies and electoral officials have ramped up preparations, including training presiding officers, to ensure smooth voting.
As the dust settles on active campaigning, attention now shifts to the polling day itself. Residents are encouraged to turn out in large numbers and exercise their rights calmly. The outcome of this by-election is expected to offer valuable lessons for maintaining credibility and fairness in future electoral contests across the country.
