A coalition of opposition leaders has issued a strong joint statement condemning what they describe as widespread vote-buying and misuse of state resources in the Ol Kalou by-election, warning that the events unfolding in Nyandarua County should “alarm every Kenyan who believes in democracy.”
The statement, released on Thursday, was signed by five senior opposition figures but notably did not include DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua, despite his party fielding a candidate in the race.
The leaders allege a coordinated effort by government officials to influence voters through cash handouts, branded goods, and last-minute projects, calling it a direct attack on the democratic rights of Ol Kalou residents.
According to the joint statement, residents of Ol Kalou have witnessed an unusual surge of campaign activity in recent days.
The opposition claims voters have been offered money, government-branded mattresses, gas cylinders, and other incentives. They also point to “impromptu projects not budgeted for” that have suddenly appeared in the constituency.
“This is not the work of a few rogue individuals,” the leaders stated. “It is a coordinated government-wide scheme to buy the sovereign right of the voters of Ol Kalou constituency.”
They further accused state officials of being deployed in a political capacity to campaign for the UDA candidate, using public resources to do so.
The allegations come at a time when Ol Kalou has become a key political battleground, with multiple parties testing their strength ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The opposition leaders argue that the activities in Ol Kalou amount to clear breaches of Kenyan election law.
They cited Section 9 of the Election Offenses Act, which defines voter bribery as a criminal offense punishable by up to six years in prison, a fine of Ksh 2 million, or both.
They also referenced Section 14 on the misuse of public resources for campaigns, and Section 15 which bars public officers from participating in elections in a partisan manner.
“Public money is not a campaign tool,” the statement read. “Kenyans should rise up against our resources being used to prop up a presidency that the country is counting down to get rid of.”
The leaders warned that if the Ol Kalou by-election is a preview of 2027, then the country should be “very worried” about the integrity of the next polls.
A central demand in the statement was for electoral and investigative agencies to act swiftly.
The opposition put the responsibility squarely on the *Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission*, saying it must prove it is in control of the electoral process.
“It must act decisively and without fear or favour,” they said. “Where there is evidence against specific candidates, parties, agents, or public officers, the law must be enforced against the individuals, including disqualification where appropriate.”
They also called on the *Directorate of Criminal Investigations* and the *Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission* to launch immediate probes into the alleged bribery and violations. The goal, they said, is to identify and prosecute culprits “without delay.”
The statement emphasized that the people of Ol Kalou must be allowed to vote freely and without intimidation.
The leaders rejected any suggestion that the election could be postponed as punishment for the irregularities.
“The IEBC and government must not punish the people of Ol Kalou by denying them their constitutional right to elect a representative. Nor will we accept any postponement of the election. That’s cowardly,” they said.
Instead, they argued that law enforcement should focus on apprehending and prosecuting offenders to deter similar conduct as the country heads toward 2027.
In strong language, the opposition warned against normalizing electoral crime.
“Kenya cannot normalize electoral crime and then act surprised when public corruption follows it,” the statement said. “Leaders who buy votes treat public office as an investment to recover, not a trust to honor.”
They concluded: “The people of Kenya deserve better. Our democracy deserves better. The sovereignty of the people is not for sale.
Notably absent was *Rigathi Gachagua*, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party, DCP, which has a candidate in Ol Kalou. The omission has already sparked speculation about divisions within the opposition, even as the other leaders presented a united front.
Ol Kalou, the capital of Nyandarua County, is holding a by-election that has drawn national attention. The seat became vacant and both the ruling coalition and opposition see it as a test of political influence in Mt. Kenya.
The constituency has a mix of farmers, traders, and youth, and issues like agriculture, cost of living, and jobs dominate voter concerns.
Because it is one of the first major electoral contests since the 2022 General Election, parties are treating it as a barometer for 2027. That has led to intense campaigning — and, according to the opposition, to desperate measures.
As of Thursday evening, UDA officials and government spokespeople had not issued a formal response to the allegations.
UDA has previously dismissed opposition claims of vote-buying as “sour grapes” and insisted that its campaigns are based on delivering development.
IEBC also had not commented publicly on whether it had received formal complaints or opened investigations related to Ol Kalou.
With voting approaching, pressure is mounting on IEBC to reassure voters and candidates that the process will be free and fair.
Civil society groups in Nyandarua have also called for calm and urged voters to reject inducements. “A mattress today is not worth five years of poor representation,” one community leader said.
For the opposition, the statement serves two purposes: to put IEBC on notice, and to frame the Ol Kalou contest as a fight between democracy and state power.
Political analysts say the absence of Gachagua from the statement could signal strategy differences within the opposition. DCP has been positioning itself as the main alternative in Mt. Kenya, while the other signatories represent more established national opposition parties.
The Ol Kalou by-election is being watched closely because of what it might signal for the next General Election.
If the allegations are true, experts say, it points to a playbook that could be replicated nationwide in 2027. If they are exaggerated, it still shows how high the stakes have become.
Either way, the opposition’s message was clear: electoral integrity must be defended now, not later.
“As we prepare for 2027, the law must be enforced,” the leaders said. “We must deter these unlawful activities before they become the norm.”
For voters in Ol Kalou, the coming days will determine not just who represents them in Parliament, but also whether their vote will be decided at the ballot or by what is handed to them before they get there.
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