Ruiru aspirant Onyango urges Ol Kalou voters to reject bribes

By Lawrence Ongaro

Ruiru parliamentary aspirant on the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket, Engineer Sammy Onyango, has urged Ol Kalou voters to remain vigilant and elect a leader who will genuinely represent and protect their interests.

Speaking ahead of the Ol Kalou by-election, Onyango said the contest should unite rather than divide residents, calling on voters to focus on the future of their constituency instead of political differences.

On Thursday, July 16, voters will head to the polls to elect a representative whom they believe is best placed to champion their interests.

Onyango acknowledged reports that residents had received various gifts, including mattresses, gas cylinders, electricity transformers and cash handouts from politicians seeking support. However, he urged voters not to be swayed by such incentives but to vote according to their conscience.

The race is largely viewed as a two-horse contest between Samuel Muchina Nyagah of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Sammy Kamau Waweru of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

Calls for investigation into bribery claims

Onyango also appealed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), under Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, to investigate allegations of widespread voter bribery involving senior government officials.

“We know the people of Ol Kalou understand their challenges better than anyone else. Therefore, when they cast their ballots on Thursday, July 16, every voter will make the choice they believe is in their best interest,” Onyango said.

His remarks came days after IEBC Chairperson Ethekon warned that the Ol Kalou by-election could be postponed if allegations of voter bribery were found to have compromised the electoral process.

Ethekon said reports implicating several political leaders in vote-buying could force the commission to suspend the election pending further investigations.

The statement sparked intense public debate, with many Kenyans criticising the electoral body’s chairperson over the possibility of postponing the poll.

Political analysts believe the Ol Kalou by-election will serve as an important political barometer ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election, offering an early indication of voter sentiment and party strength.

Onyango further noted that the by-election would be a significant test for political leaders as they position themselves for the 2027 elections. He said aspiring candidates must convince voters that they have credible plans for the future, while leaders currently in office will be expected to account for the development projects and services they have delivered over the past five years.