Friday, 6 November 2026

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Friday, 6 November 2026

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Kenyan press · Event

Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election

Also known as: July 16 parliamentary by-election · July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election · Ol Kalou vote · Ol Kalou election · Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election · Ol-Kalou parliamentary by-election · Olkalou by-election · Ol Kalou by-election in Nyandarua County

2026-04-262026-11-06

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election

Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

July 2026
24 JulCapital News
… Murkomen’s remarks mark the latest escalation in a bitter exchange between the two leaders following the violent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where Gachagua accused the government of deploying armed gangs and rogue security officers to intimidate voters and opposition supp …
Murkomen accuses Gachagua of plot to revive outlawed Mungiki as political feud deepens
24 JulCitizen Digital
… "The ethnic profiling remarks made by CS Aden Duale in response to the Ol Kalou by-election are deeply regrettable. …
'I was misquoted!' Duale defends anti-Kikuyu remarks as NCIC opens probe
24 JulCapital News
… other, Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Governor of Murang’a County, as a member of our party, DCP, the party of the moment and the future.” Kang’ata’s defection comes at a pivotal moment for DCP, which is riding high after its landslide victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election …
Murang’a Governor Kang’ata joins Gachagua’s DCP after dumping Ruto’s UDA
24 JulCapital News
… wanza leader, said reducing the government’s political challenges to tribal prejudice risked undermining national unity, particularly as the country heads toward the 2027 General Election. “The ethnic profiling remarks made by CS Aden Duale in response to the Ol Kalou by-election …
Waiguru demands Duale apology over ‘deeply regrettable’ ethnic profiling remarks
24 JulThe Standard
… Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru also faulted Duale, saying: "The ethnic profiling remarks made by CS Aden Duale in response to the Ol Kalou by-election are deeply regrettable. …
Duale under probe over alleged ethnic remarks
23 JulCapital News
NAIROBI,Kenya,Jul 23- Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has challenged Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua to provide evidence backing claims that he was involved in planning violence during the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. …
Kuria challenges Gachagua to produce evidence linking him to Ol Kalou poll violence
23 JulCitizen Digital
… Speaking on Thursday during the requiem mass for James Muigai and Zachariah Gakinya, youth killed during the recently held Ol Kalou by-election, Gachagua noted that his party would form a historic wave that would seek to unseat President Ruto's administration. …
'We're angry and we’ll teach you a lesson!' Gachagua warns Ruto over alleged betrayal of Mt. Kenya
23 JulCapital News
… Speaking during a requiem mass for two men who died following the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, the former Deputy President urged artists across the region to produce songs carrying what he described as the community’s message. …
Gachagua tells Mt Kenya musicians to compose songs against Ruto
23 JulCapital News
… Murkomen’s remarks come after Gachagua said lessons from the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election had shown Kenyans that voting alone is not enough and that citizens must also protect their ballots until the final results are announced. …
Murkomen accuses Gachagua of plotting militia ahead of 2027 polls
23 JulCapital News
… The petition also seeks orders directing the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and other relevant government agencies to preserve documents and records related to Miano’s alleged involvement in activities connected to the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. …
Petitioner Seeks Orders to Block CS Miano from Partisan Politics While in Office

Politics

Kioni challenges Gachagua's claim to Mt Kenya and opposition

The News

Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni has told former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that no leader owns a region or the opposition, saying Kenya belongs to everyone and that every Kenyan has the right to choose their political party and express their views without intimidation. Kioni argued that leadership is about bringing people together and earning respect through conduct, not bullying others into submission.

4 November 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 4 November

Kioni challenges Gachagua's claim to Mt Kenya and opposition
Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni has told former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that no leader owns a region or the opposition, saying Kenya belongs to everyone and that every Kenyan has the right to choose their political party and express their views without intimidation. Kioni argued that leadership is about bringing people together and earning respect through conduct, not bullying others into submission.
4 November 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 3 November

Unpunished attacks on journalists harm public access to information
When crimes against journalists go unpunished, the damage extends beyond the individual attacked to the public, which loses access to unrestricted reporting and scrutiny of those in authority. A journalist working under threat of violence cannot report freely, limiting what citizens know about events affecting their lives.
3 November 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 31 October

Rights groups warn of democratic backsliding ahead of 2027 election
Civil society organisations report a worsening human rights and governance situation in Kenya, citing unlawful force against protesters, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and threats to press freedom. Kenya's global freedom score dropped from 51 to 49 out of 100 in 2026, and the groups raise concerns about electoral integrity and the country's readiness for credible 2027 elections.
31 October 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 30 October

LSK demands transparent 2027 election results livestreaming process
The Law Society of Kenya has urged Parliament to protect livestreaming of polling station results ahead of the 2027 General Election to allow voters to independently verify outcomes, and called for publication of the Elections (Amendment) Bill's approved text and amendments to resolve conflicting accounts of what Parliament passed.
30 October 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 9 October

Nakuru Senator Karanja leaves UDA for DCP to challenge Kihika
Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has defected from President Ruto's UDA party to the Democracy for the Citizens Party, announcing her bid for Nakuru governorship ahead of the 2027 election in a challenge to fellow UDA-elected Governor Susan Kihika. The move follows months of Karanja's public criticism of UDA leadership, including accusations that the party's inner circle damaged its popularity.
9 October 2026 · Capital News →

Thursday 8 October

High Court dismisses MP Gikaria's challenge to Ksh.2.5M IEBC fine
The High Court has dismissed Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria's judicial review challenge against a Ksh.2.5 million fine imposed by the IEBC's Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee for remarks made during the Ol Kalou by-election campaigns. Justice W. Musyoka found that the application did not meet the threshold for the orders sought and discharged temporary orders that had halted enforcement of the penalty.
8 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
High Court upholds Sh2.5m IEBC fine against Nakuru Town East MP
The High Court dismissed Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria's challenge against sanctions imposed by the IEBC over an Electoral Code of Conduct violation, clearing the way for enforcement of a Sh2.5 million fine and orders requiring him to issue a public apology and retraction. The sanctions arose from remarks Gikaria made while campaigning ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, which the IEBC committee found implied financial inducement of voters and misled them about voting requirements.
8 October 2026 · Capital News →

Saturday 26 September

Nyoro calls for disclosure of Dangote refinery shareholders
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has called on the government to disclose the directors and shareholders of Nigeria's Dangote Group's proposed oil refinery and petrochemical complex in Lamu, saying Kenyans have a right to know the ownership structure of the multimillion-dollar investment. Nyoro also defended retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and urged President William Ruto to respect his predecessor.
26 September 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 16 September

AI, bots used in Kenya's political propaganda ahead of 2027
The Standard reports that Ruto's government is accused of using artificial intelligence, bots, and bloggers to spread political propaganda in the lead-up to the 2027 election.
16 September 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 3 September

Waiguru rejects alignment with Gachagua, reaffirms Ruto support
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said she will not align with Democracy for the Citizens leader Rigathi Gachagua, stating she has kept a low profile for six weeks and will not join camps that "chase and deny people microphones." Her remarks appeared to reference an incident in which a former Kirinyaga Woman Representative was denied a microphone during a Gachagua visit to the county.
3 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 30 August

Kenya Kwanza leaders defend IEBC against opposition attacks
Kenya Kwanza leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, have defended the IEBC's independence and urged opposition parties to allow it to work without political interference, ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
30 August 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 26 August

CS Wandayi defends LPG crackdown against Gachagua allegations
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi dismissed claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua about an illegal LPG crackdown, saying the government and EPRA are enforcing regulations on illegal refilling and trading of LPG cylinders in the interest of public safety, and accused Gachagua of politicising the matter.
26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Gachagua claims seized gas cylinders distributed in Ol Kalou by-election
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged at a press briefing that gas cylinders distributed to residents during the Ol Kalou by-election were among more than 200,000 cylinders seized from small-scale LPG traders in four counties between June and October 2025. He claimed the seizures were carried out by a police unit and accused officers of operating outside established procedures.
26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Gachagua accuses government of withholding 200,000 seized gas cylinders
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claims the government seized more than 200,000 LPG gas cylinders from small-scale traders between June and October 2025 across four counties, alleging some were diverted to private businesses and distributed during the Ol Kalou by-election.
26 August 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 19 August

President faces pressure on curbing political violence and goonism
An opinion piece questioning President William Ruto's commitment to ending goonism and lawlessness, noting that political violence recurred during the Ol Kalou by-election in July where two people were killed and over 20 were injured, despite his repeated assurances upon returning from abroad.
19 August 2026 · The Standard →
President Ruto's track record on ending political goonism questioned
An opinion piece questions President William Ruto's ability to tackle political violence and goonism, noting that he is often out of the country when such incidents occur and has repeatedly promised action without apparent results.
19 August 2026 · The Standard →
Criminal liability does not expire, Maanzo warns sponsors of goons
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo warned politicians sponsoring political goons that criminal liability does not expire, and called on President William Ruto to end tolerance of poll violence. His comments followed violence during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday where property was destroyed and journalists were assaulted.
19 August 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 18 August

KNCHR urges DCI, police action on political violence before 2027
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, and National Police Service to investigate and act against political violence, incitement, and organised gangs ahead of the 2027 General Election.
18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
High Court bars DCI from arresting Nyandarua Governor Badilisha
A Naivasha High Court has granted Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha anticipatory bail and barred the DCI and National Police Service from arresting or detaining him while he faces investigations by the EACC and DCI. The court order follows weeks of reported arrest attempts and comes days after Badilisha defected from the UDA to the Democracy for Citizens Party led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
18 August 2026 · Capital News →

Monday 17 August

MCK reports 18 journalists, two drivers attacked in two months
The Media Council of Kenya says at least 18 journalists and two drivers from different media houses have been assaulted and injured over the past two months, citing physical assaults, equipment destruction, and online harassment by security agents, goons, and political party supporters. The council has called on the Director of Public Prosecutions and Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute those responsible, warning that the escalating attacks threaten media freedom and democracy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
17 August 2026 · Capital News →

Friday 14 August

Gachagua mocks Ruto's claim that coalition must win 2027
Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua dismissed President William Ruto's declaration that his UDA-ODM coalition "must win" the 2027 General Election as wishful thinking, citing the opposition's recent landslide victory in the Ol Kalou by-election. Gachagua made the remarks during a Nakuru County tour, hours after DCP claimed his convoy came under attack in Kaptembwa.
14 August 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 13 August

Lawyer tells Ruto to resign if Constitution constrains him
Lawyer and political analyst Fanya Mambo Kinuthia has told President William Ruto to resign if he considers the Constitution an obstacle to governing Kenya, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises and citing the government's handling of 2024 Gen Z protests and questions over missing protesters.
13 August 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 12 August

Security analyst warns Kenya has not healed from 2007-08 violence
Security analyst Erick Okeyo has cautioned that the government must help Kenya heal from the 2007-08 post-election violence and restore public confidence ahead of 2027 elections, warning that current political rhetoric resembles language used before the violence that killed more than 1,000 people. Okeyo said Kenya had not fully healed because justice had not been served, citing killings and disappearances of witnesses in ICC-linked cases, and criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration for failing to act against politicians whose remarks could fuel violence.
12 August 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 7 August

Kalonzo challenges IEBC chief over 2027 election postponement threat
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned the IEBC against threatening to postpone the 2027 General Election, questioning the legal basis for remarks made by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, who previously stated that Kenya cannot conduct credible elections in an environment marked by hate speech, political intolerance and ethnic incitement. Kalonzo argued that under the Elections Act, the IEBC can only postpone elections in specific constituencies, counties or wards under circumstances such as a serious breach of peace or natural disaster.
7 August 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 6 August

Munya accuses Gachagua of bullying, threatening opposition unity
Party of National Unity leader Peter Munya has criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for using inflammatory language and intimidating fellow politicians, saying such tactics threaten Opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Election. Munya called for mutual respect and structured dialogue among opposition leaders, particularly from the Mt Kenya region.
6 August 2026 · Capital News →
Vision 2060 planning should exclude partisan political interests
An editorial argues that the review of Kenya's post-Vision 2030 development blueprint should be a consultative, inclusive national process involving experts and Kenyans from all regions, rather than a vehicle for partisan advantage amid the current political tensions facing the government.
6 August 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 5 August

Gachagua defends DCP recruitment, urges allied parties to mobilize
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua told opposition-allied political parties to intensify grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 General Election, dismissing claims he was pushing politicians to abandon their parties for the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). Gachagua said his focus was on growing DCP's support while allowing allies to strengthen their own outfits.
5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 2 August

Republic renewal requires active citizenship beyond voting
An opinion piece argues that Kenya cannot renew its institutions while citizens remain spectators; sovereignty requires organized participation beyond voting, paying taxes, and criticism — as demonstrated by the Law Society of Kenya's judicial boycott and youth-led civic movements.
2 August 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 1 August

Gachagua says he'll back single opposition candidate for 2027
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he is ready to support a single opposition presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election if opposition leaders agree on a formula for selecting one flag bearer to challenge President William Ruto, even if he is not chosen as the nominee himself.
1 August 2026 · Capital News →

Friday 31 July

Ol Kalou by-election signals Kenya's 2027 electoral preparedness
An opinion piece argues that the Ol Kalou by-election reflects concerns about Kenya's readiness for the 2027 General Election, particularly regarding the resurgence of organised groups that disrupt political activities and intimidate opponents. The author contends that electoral violence must be addressed as a governance issue, noting that unemployment, economic hardship, and political manipulation create conditions for criminal group expansion.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →