Kenya Minute.
Friday, 17 July 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 17 July 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Joshua Nkanatha

Also known as: Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha · Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha

Central Regional Commissioner who responded to claims of unmarked vehicles and plainclothes officers during the Ol Kalou by-election.

2026-05-072026-07-17

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. Capital News

    The developments appeared to contradict assurances by Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, who earlier dismissed claims that security agencies were using unmarked vehicles during the poll.

    Murkomen Warns Ol Kalou Violence Perpetrators of Tough Action
  3. Capital News

    Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha had earlier in the day denied allegations that police officers were using unmarked vehicles to monitor the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, while confirming that plainclothes detectives from DCI were deployed as part of the electio

    IEBC disowns armed hooded men reported in Ol Kalou by election
  4. Capital News

    The developments appeared to contradict assurances by Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, who earlier dismissed claims that security agencies were using unmarked vehicles during the poll.

    Masked gunmen in convoy of prados disrupt Ol Kalou vote, assault journalists
  5. Citizen Digital

    Earlier in the day, Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha warned that any vehicle found operating without number plates would be impounded.

    Ol Kalou vote turns chaotic as masked, armed men clash with crowds at polling station
  6. Citizen Digital

    Speaking to the media on Thursday, Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha said it was against the law to drive a car without plates.

    Ol Kalou by-election: Police to impound cars without number plates
  7. Capital News

    His comments came as Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha assured Kenyans that voting was proceeding peacefully, saying no major security incidents had been reported.

    Ol Kalou by-election: DCP commends IEBC, expresses confidence as voting continues
  8. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 16 – Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha has denied allegations that police officers were using unmarked vehicles to monitor the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, while confirming that plainclothes detectives from DCI were deployed as part of the e

    Ol Kalou by-election: RC confirms plainclothes DCI officers, denies unmarked police vehicles
  9. Capital News

    Addressing the media on Thursday, Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha said voting commenced smoothly across the constituency, with security personnel deployed to guarantee a safe environment for voters.

    Ol Kalou by-election: Security chiefs say poll peaceful, reject intimidation claims
  10. The Standard

    election, Nyandarua County; IEBC opens 144 polling stations across five wards for 73,480 registered voters. 8:30 AM- UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah casts his vote at Huruma Primary School in Ol Kalou.9:15 AM-Ol Kalou by-election: Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha

    LIVE BLOG: Ol Kalou voters head to the polls as UDA, DCP battle for Nyandarua seat
  11. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeCentral Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha on Thursday denied claims that security officers deployed for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election are using unmarked cars, saying any vehicle without a number plate is operating illegally.

    'No police officer is driving an unmarked car': Nkanatha

Yesterday

  1. Murkomen warns of tough action on Ol Kalou violence perpetrators

    Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen warned that anyone found to have instigated violence during the Ol Kalou by-election will face the full force of the law, and that security officers who act unlawfully or use excessive force will not be spared. Heavily armed masked men in unmarked vehicles assaulted journalists and dispersed residents with teargas during the by-election.

    16 hours ago · Capital News

  2. IEBC denies armed hooded men are part of election security

    The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has distanced itself from hooded armed men in unmarked vehicles reported at the Ol Kalou by-election, saying such individuals are not part of the official security arrangement and have been reported to police. Armed masked men in unmarked vehicles assaulted journalists and dispersed residents with teargas at the by-election on Thursday.

    17 hours ago · Capital News

  3. Masked gunmen disrupt Ol Kalou by-election, assault journalists

    Armed men in balaclavas arrived in a convoy of unmarked vehicles during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, dispersing residents with teargas and assaulting journalists who were covering the poll. The identity of the men and the agency authorizing the operation remained unclear.

    18 hours ago · Capital News

  4. Ol Kalou by-election disrupted by masked armed men, journalist assaulted

    Chaos erupted at multiple polling stations in Ol Kalou Constituency during a parliamentary by-election on Thursday, with hooded armed men clashing with crowds, teargas fired, journalists assaulted and cameras confiscated. Journalist Enos Teche was injured and had his camera taken by armed hooded men in five Toyota Prado SUVs outside Ol Kalou Comprehensive School, allegedly with police present.

    20 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  5. Ol Kalou by-election: police to impound cars without plates

    Police will impound all cars operating without number plates during the Ol Kalou by-election. The Central Regional Commissioner also said unauthorised persons must stay at least 400 metres from polling stations to avoid security incidents.

    23 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  6. DCP commends IEBC conduct in Ol Kalou by-election voting

    The Democracy for Citizens Party praised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's conduct of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with DCP candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho expressing confidence in the process despite isolated technical hitches involving slow biometric voter verification. Ngotho said he had conducted his campaign well and exit poll numbers looked favorable.

    23 hours ago · Capital News

  7. Ol Kalou by-election: RC denies unmarked vehicles, confirms plainclothes DCI

    Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha denied allegations of unmarked police vehicles during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, while confirming that plainclothes DCI detectives were deployed as part of election security operations. Nkanatha said all official police vehicles have registration plates and warned that operating a vehicle without number plates is illegal.

    16 July 2026 · Capital News

  8. Ol Kalou by-election proceeds peacefully, security chiefs report

    Security chiefs overseeing the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election say voting has commenced smoothly with no major security incidents reported, and have dismissed allegations of intimidation by rival political camps. The Central Regional Commissioner said security personnel have been deployed across the constituency to ensure voters can exercise their democratic right without fear.

    16 July 2026 · Capital News

  9. Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election voting underway in Nyandarua

    Voting has opened in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election with 73,480 registered voters casting ballots across 144 polling stations. Nine candidates are running, but the race is framed as a contest between United Democratic Alliance candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah and Democracy for Citizens Party candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho, described as a proxy battle between President William Ruto and former deputy Rigathi Gachagua. The seat became vacant after MP David Kiaraho died in March.

    16 July 2026 · The Standard

  10. Central Commissioner denies unmarked cars at Ol Kalou by-election

    Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha denied claims that security officers deployed for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election are using unmarked cars, stating that any vehicle without a number plate is operating illegally. Democracy for the Citizens Party Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala had accused officers of moving in civilian clothing and unmarked vehicles to intimidate voters, but Nkanatha confirmed plainclothes DCI officers were deployed while maintaining all vehicles have registration plates.

    16 July 2026 · The Standard

  11. Nyandarua Senator urges identifiable police at Ol Kalou polls

    Senator John Methu has called on the Central Regional Commissioner to ensure only identifiable police officers are deployed at polling stations in Ol Kalou, saying there should be no hooded police. Methu commended the election conduct so far as peaceful and orderly, noting voter turnout appeared to be the highest the constituency had witnessed in recent elections.

    16 July 2026 · The Standard

Friday 5 June

  1. PS Bitok warns students behind school fires of legal consequences

    Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok has warned students and individuals involved in school unrest and destruction of school property that they will face legal consequences. Dozens of schools across the country have sent learners home following reports of unrest, though the Ministry maintains the school calendar will not be affected as only a small percentage of schools have experienced disruptions.

    5 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 7 May

  1. Murkomen emphasizes discipline as police college trains 5,000 recruits

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen visited the National Police College in Kiganjo to assess training of over 5,000 recruits, emphasizing the need for discipline, integrity, and adaptability among police officers to strengthen national security and respond to evolving crime. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to ongoing police reforms including improved welfare, enhanced professionalism, and institutional strengthening.

    7 May 2026 · Capital News

Joshua Nkanatha — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute