Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised fresh concerns over the conduct of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, alleging that rogue police officers working with politicians allied to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are planning to interfere with the voting process. He called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene immediately, while urging election observers, journalists and the public to closely monitor the exercise to safeguard the integrity of the poll.
In a statement posted on his X account on Thursday as voting continued across the constituency, Gachagua claimed that plain-clothes police officers remained a threat to the credibility of the by-election despite his earlier appeal for their withdrawal.
Addressing the Inspector General of Police directly, Gachagua said, "Bwana IG, I told you that rogue police officers in plain clothes are your weakest link. They are the source of insecurity in the country. I urged you to have them withdrawn from Olkalou, but you seem impotent."
He further alleged that politicians allied to the ruling party had hatched a plan to interfere with the election after realising they were likely to lose the contest.
"Having sensed defeat, UDA-allied MPs are allegedly meeting with rogue police officers to storm major polling stations, disrupt voting, and stuff ballot boxes."
The claims came as residents turned out to elect a new Member of Parliament in a by-election that has drawn national attention and is widely being viewed as a key political contest in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Jubilee Party MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, who died on March 29, 2026, while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital. The National Assembly declared the seat vacant on April 20, after which the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) set the by-election for July 16.
Voters are choosing from nine candidates, although the race has largely centred on Samuel Muchina Nyagah of UDA and Sammy Douglas Ngotho of Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). The contest is being closely watched by political leaders, observers and residents, with the outcome expected to influence the region's political direction ahead of the next General Election.
Gachagua also urged the Inspector General to instruct uniformed police officers to stop any attempts to interfere with the election, warning that the police leadership would be held responsible if violence broke out.
According to Gachagua, "If you are not part of this scheme, you have a duty to order the uniformed police officers, who are armed, to stop them and prevent any disruption. If you do not, then you are part of the scheme and must take responsibility for any violence that may occur."
He appealed to election observers, journalists and members of the public to pay close attention to polling stations he claimed were at risk of disruption.
"I urgently request election observers, the international media, local media stations, social media users, and everyone with a camera to proceed to Huruma Polling Station, St. Joseph and AC Primary School to document any attempted attack or disruption."
The DCP leader also called on residents to remain alert throughout the voting exercise and help protect the integrity of the election.
"Members of the public must protect these two polling stations and remain vigilant at others that may be targeted."
He ended his statement by warning that the Nyandarua County security leadership would be held accountable if violence occurred during the by-election.
"The Nyandarua County Security and Intelligence Committee must take full responsibility should the attack occur."
The allegations emerged as voting continued across Ol Kalou, with the closely watched contest unfolding amid heightened political tension and competing claims over the conduct of the election.