IEBC Confirms Ol Kalou By-Election Will Proceed as Planned

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed that the by-election in Ol Kalou will take place as scheduled, dismissing allegations of voter register manipulation. This announcement comes amidst rising tensions and misinformation being circulated by some politicians.

During a multi-agency security briefing, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon emphasized the integrity of the electoral process, urging voters to disregard false claims. He also warned against the act of photographing marked ballot papers, which is considered an electoral offence and could lead to fines of up to KSh1 million upon conviction.

Erastus Edung Ethekon, who was appointed as the IEBC Chairperson by President William Ruto in May 2025, has a background in law and governance, holding multiple advanced degrees including an LLM from the University of Derby. He previously served as the County Attorney for Turkana County from 2018 to 2024. Ethekon has been vocal about the need for credible elections and has raised concerns about potential electoral malpractices in the Ol Kalou constituency.

The by-election in Ol Kalou is particularly significant as it follows the death of MP David Kiaraho, creating a competitive political landscape. Ethekon has previously indicated that the election could be postponed if issues such as violence and voter bribery arise. To ensure security during the election, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced the deployment of over 1,000 police officers and four water cannons to maintain order before, during, and after the voting process.

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