Political leaders, candidates and voters have been urged to keep the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election free from hate speech, ethnic divisions and violence, as State agencies moved to assure the public that all preparations are in place for a peaceful, secure and credible vote on Thursday.
The call was made during a joint press briefing on Wednesday, where the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the integrity of the by-election.
The agencies said they were working together to ensure every stage of the election is conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law, while urging all political players and members of the public to promote unity before, during and after the poll.
The briefing brought together NCIC Chairman Bishop Dr Kepha Nyamweya Omae, IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, IPOA Commissioner Ken Williams Nyakomitah and EACC Director Vincent Okong'o, who said their institutions were ready to deliver a peaceful electoral process.
Addressing the media, Bishop Omae appealed to leaders, candidates and their supporters to avoid language that could fuel tensions or divide communities.
"Leaders, political actors and the public [should] reject hate speech, ethnic profiling and inflammatory political rhetoric." He stated.
He reminded Kenyans that hate speech and ethnic contempt remain criminal offences under Kenyan law and warned that those found culpable risk facing legal action.
"Hate speech and ethnic contempt are criminal offences punishable in law by a fine of Sh1 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both."
Bishop Omae also called on citizens to uphold peaceful coexistence throughout the election period by engaging one another respectfully and putting national unity above political differences.
The agencies said they had stepped up joint efforts to safeguard the credibility of the by-election through close coordination among election managers, security agencies, oversight bodies and anti-corruption institutions.
They said security arrangements had been strengthened to maintain law and order, while measures had also been put in place to monitor police conduct, tackle voter bribery and other forms of electoral corruption.
Members of the public were encouraged to report any election-related offences through the appropriate channels to help authorities respond quickly to any incidents.
According to the agencies, the coordinated approach is aimed at strengthening public confidence in the electoral process while ensuring every institution carries out its constitutional mandate.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election was called following the death of area MP David Njuguna Kiaraho on March 29, 2026, bringing to an end his tenure after serving the constituency since 2013 under the Jubilee Party.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula declared the seat vacant in April, paving the way for the July 16 by-election.
During party nominations, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) selected Samuel Muchina Nyaga as its candidate, while the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) picked Sammy Ngotho after competitive party primaries.
With campaigns coming to an end, the multi-agency team urged candidates, supporters and residents to remain peaceful, obey the law and respect the electoral process, saying a calm environment is key to ensuring the outcome reflects the will of the people.