[PHOTOS] Elderly brave cold to vote in Ol Kalou by-election

The elderly were among the earliest voters to arrive at polling stations across Ol Kalou Constituency on Thursday, braving the biting morning cold to take part in the closely watched parliamentary by-election.

From as early as dawn, senior citizens streamed into polling centres, determined to exercise their democratic right despite their advanced age and the freezing temperatures that greeted residents of Nyandarua County.

Images from various polling stations showed elderly men and women being assisted by relatives and caregivers as they made their way to vote.

Some were seen holding onto family members for support, while others relied on walking sticks to navigate the paths leading to the polling stations.

Election officials also assisted elderly voters to ensure they were able to access polling centres with ease, reflecting efforts to make the voting process inclusive for all eligible citizens.

The turnout by senior citizens underscored the significance of the by-election, which has attracted national attention as political parties seek to gauge their support in one of the country's key voting blocs. 

Polling stations opened at 6 am and are scheduled to close at 5 pm, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) assuring voters that anyone in the queue by the official closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballot.

The contest is widely viewed as a political showdown between President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and DCP led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.