Gachagua warns of violent Kenya 2027 election after Ol Kalou clashes
A by-election in Ol Kalou, Kenya, was marred by violence, including the use of tear gas and assaults on journalists by masked men. The incident has raised concerns about potential instability ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
Why it matters
The violence highlights ongoing political tensions and the threat of electoral intimidation in Kenya, which has a history of post-election conflict.
The 16 July Ol Kalou by-election was called following the death of the MP for the constituency. The main candidates represent President William Ruto ’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua has become one of Ruto’s fiercest opponents since he was impeached and removed from office in 2024.
Ol Kalou lies about 150km from Nairobi in the Mount Kenya region. The constituency is considered strategically important ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for August 2027.
After a tense campaign, voters turned out in large numbers when polling stations opened at 6am on Thursday, according to footage broadcast by Kenyan media. Voting remained peaceful until early afternoon.
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