NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 15 – The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has raised concerns over escalating violence, voter intimidation and alleged electoral malpractices ahead of Thursday’s Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, warning that the incidents threaten the credibility of the poll.

📻 Breaking It Down

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the rights lobby cited reports of electoral violence, voter bribery and the alleged misuse of public resources during campaigns for the seat left vacant following the death of former MP David Kiaraho.

“The Kenya Human Rights Commission is concerned about electoral violence, voter intimidation, voter bribery and the misuse of public resources ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election on July 16,” the organisation said.

KHRC argued that the reported incidents undermine constitutional provisions governing elections, including Article 38, which guarantees political rights, and Article 81(e), which requires elections to be conducted free from violence, intimidation, corruption and improper influence.

📌 What You Need to Know

While noting that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had cleared nine candidates who publicly committed to peaceful campaigns, the commission said the election period had instead been marred by incidents that risk eroding public confidence in the process.

According to KHRC, clashes between rival political supporters have left at least eight people injured, damaged property and disrupted campaign activities in parts of the constituency.

The rights body also expressed concern over what it described as the apparent overlap between government programmes and political campaigns during the election period, cautioning against the use of public resources to influence voters.

“Public resources must never be used, or appear to be used, to confer an electoral advantage,” the commission said.

KHRC further referred to reports that some Ol Kalou residents had been invited to State House days before the vote, warning that public officials should avoid actions likely to create perceptions of political favouritism or undue influence.

“While KHRC cannot independently verify those claims, public officials must avoid conduct that creates a perception of political favour or undue influence during an election,” it stated.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya