Chaos Erupts in Ol Kalou CBD as Gunshots and Tear Gas Fill the Air

Voters in Ol Kalou Constituency head to the polls today, Thursday, July 16, to elect a new Member of Parliament in Ol Kalou By-Election that has drawn national attention.

The mini-poll, conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, is widely seen as an early political test ahead of the 2027 General Election, with major parties keen to gauge their influence in the Mt Kenya region.

The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of former MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, who was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket in 2022.

Kiaraho died on March 29, 2026, while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital, triggering the by-election just over a year before the next general election.

Nine candidates are in the race, although the contest has largely narrowed to a showdown between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho, who finished second in the 2022 election with over 19,000 votes, returns with a strong grassroots network, while UDA backs Samuel Muchina Nyagah.

A total of 73,480 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 144 polling stations, with the constituency tallying centre set at Ol Kalou Secondary School Hall.

Follow our live coverage for real-time updates from Ol Kalou as voting continues. We will bring you the latest on voter turnout, activities at polling stations, candidate movements, security situation, and all key developments throughout the day.

Also Read: ‘Niko Kadi’ Activist Allans Ademba Arrested at Ol Kalou By-Election

Updates of Ol Kalou By-Election

2:45 pm – Chaos erupts with tear gas and gunshots heard in Ol Kalou CBD after a group of individuals in plain clothes arrived in several Toyota Prado vehicles.

1:58 pm – Ol Kalou residents force police officers to open their bags after alleging they were carrying election materials .

12:32 pm – A commotion erupted at St Joseph Catholic Comprehensive School polling station in Ol Kalou after residents confronted a vehicle that entered the polling centre, raising concerns about the security of the voting process.

12:28 pm – People’s Renaissance Movement (PRM) candidate Timothy Kamau Kariuki arrives at Kieni Primary School in Ol Kalou on a donkey to cast his vote.

11:49 am – Ol Kalou residents pursue plain-clothed police officers after they allegedly dared the to shoot them.

11:03 am – ‘Niko Kadi’ mobilizer Allans Ademba says he has been arrested in Ol Kalou and taken to the DCI offices during the ongoing parliamentary by-election.

10:44 am – DCP candidate Sammy Kamau casts his vote at A.C. Primary School Polling Station in Ol Kalou Constituency accompanied by Senetor Methu and Alice Wahome.

10:34 am – Nyandarua governor Moses Ndirangu Kiarie Badilisha casts his vote at AC Primary School.

10:02 am – DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged Ol Kalou voters to turn out in large numbers and protect their vote as polling continues in the by-election.

He praised residents for voting early and thanked young people for accompanying elderly voters to polling stations.

“As our mothers and the elderly go back home to wait for the declaration of victory, the young and strong will remain behind, vigilant and alert, to make sure the will of the people is safeguarded,” Gachagua said.

Also Read: Is Ol Kalou Affected? Kenya Power Lists Areas Scheduled for Power Outages Today

9:11 am – Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha has assures Ol Kalou residents of their safety and urges them to turn out in larger numbers to vote.

8:32 am – Cleophas Malala urges police to beef up security during voting at Ol Kalou

7:30 am – Samuel Muchina, UDA candidate, casts his vote at Huruma Primary School Polling Station in Ol Kalou Constituency

7:30 am – Long queues form at polling stations across the Ol Kalou By-Election as voters turn out in large numbers to cast their ballots and elect a new Member of Parliament.

6:38 am – Silanga Polling Station opens, and officials prepare to receive voters.

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A photo of IEBC commissioners Hassan Noor Hassan and Ann Nderu witness the opening of election materials for the Ol Kalou by-election at Ol Kalou Secondary School on July 16, 2026. PHOTO/ Kipsang Joseph, Standard