Ol kalou: Leaders have appealed to residents of Ol Kalou Constituency to maintain peace, uphold the rule of law, and exercise tolerance ahead and during the July 16 parliamentary by-election. The appeal follows isolated incidents of violence reported in parts of the constituency over the past two weeks, prompting leaders to urge voters to reject acts that could undermine the democratic process.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking during a service at Full Gospel Church in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau condemned the recent violence and called on relevant security agencies to take firm action against those seeking to disrupt peace. Gitau emphasized the importance of conducting peaceful campaigns and reassured the public about the preparedness of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct a free, fair, and credible by-election. She encouraged residents to exercise their democratic right without fear.
On his part, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who attended a church service at Deliverance Church in Ol Kalou, also appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid engaging in violence before, during, and after the poll. Amisi, who declared support for People’s Renaissance Party candidate Timothy Kariuki, urged voters to respect the electoral process and embrace peaceful voting.
Deliverance Church Ol Kalou Reverend Benjamin Otieno similarly called on residents to treat one another with respect regardless of their political affiliations and to avoid being drawn into acts of violence or property destruction. He assured that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to ensure a peaceful election, urging vigilance among residents while advising them against taking the law into their own hands.
Rev Otieno reminded voters of the importance of peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that candidates were community members who would continue living together post-election. He encouraged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers on polling day, cast their ballots peacefully, and accept the election outcome according to the law.
The Ol Kalou Parliamentary by-election is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, with confidence expressed by security agencies, electoral officials, and local leaders in the peaceful, transparent, and lawful conduct of the poll.
