The Nyandarua County Security Committee has warned members of the public against attempts to remain at polling stations under the guise of “protecting votes,” insisting that the responsibility of safeguarding the electoral process lies solely with security agents and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking after a joint security preparedness meeting with the IEBC, County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa said adequate security arrangements have been put in place to guarantee a peaceful, free and credible Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Jaldesa urged voters to turn out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right but asked them to leave polling stations immediately after casting their ballots to allow election officials and security personnel to perform their duties.
He dismissed claims that voters should stay behind to “protect votes,” saying trained security officers deployed across the constituency will secure IEBC officials, election materials, polling stations and the constituency tallying centre throughout the exercise.
The County Commissioner also clarified that no curfew has been imposed in Nyandarua, saying security agencies are only enforcing the campaign timelines provided for under the electoral laws.
He warned politicians and their supporters against engaging in violence, destruction of campaign materials and the use of hired goons, adding that a multi-agency rapid response team has been established to deal swiftly with any security threats during the election period.
Meanwhile, the IEBC has said preparations for the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election are in the final stages.
Returning Officer for Olkalou by election Anthony Njiraini said presiding officers, deputy presiding officers and polling clerks are undergoing training before collecting election materials on the eve of the poll.
He said voting will begin at 6:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m., after which votes will be counted at the polling stations before the results are transmitted and delivered to the constituency tallying centre.
Njiraini reminded candidates and political parties that campaigns must end at 5:00 p.m. on July 13 , in line with the electoral calendar, to pave the way for the mandatory campaign silence period before polling day.
He called on voters to participate peacefully in the by-election, cast their ballots and return home to await the official declaration of results through the IEBC and accredited media outlets.
By Antony Mwangi
