Wrapped in shukas and jackets, Ol Kalou voters brave chilly morning to cast ballots in by-election

Wrapped in Maasai shukas, heavy jackets, warm hats and leggings, voters in Ol Kalou turned out early on Thursday, July 16, 2026, braving the constituency's chilly morning to cast their ballots in the parliamentary by-election.

Some voters rode to polling stations on motorcycles, while others arrived bundled up against the cold as polling got underway across the constituency at 6.00 am.

The by-election is being held to elect a new Member of the National Assembly following the death of the area's MP, David Njuguna Kiaraho of the Jubilee Party, on March 29, 2026.

The contest has drawn national attention and is widely viewed as a litmus test of political influence in the Mt. Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

As voting began, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) encouraged residents to participate in the electoral process.

"To all voters in the Ol Kalou by-election: your participation matters. We encourage you to turn out in large numbers and peacefully exercise your democratic right and vote in your preferred candidate," the commission said.

Polling stations will remain open until 5.00 pm. The IEBC said any time lost during polling will be recovered at closing, while voters who are in the queue by 5.00 pm will still be allowed to vote.

The commission also reiterated the importance of protecting the secrecy of the ballot, saying it is a constitutional right guaranteed under the Constitution.

It warned that photographing or recording a marked ballot paper compromises the integrity of the electoral process and constitutes an electoral offence.

Voting continued peacefully during the morning as election officials processed voters across polling stations in the constituency. Counting is expected to begin after polling closes, once all voters in the queue by the official closing time have cast their ballots.

The outcome of the by-election is expected to be closely watched, with political players keen to gauge support in the Mt. Kenya region ahead of the next General Election.