Gachagua writes to IG Kanja, raises concerns over Ol Kalou poll security
Kenyan politician Rigathi Gachagua has formally requested the Inspector General of Police to ensure security during the Ol Kalou by-election. He alleges that rogue police officers are being used to intimidate his party's supporters.
Why it matters
The letter raises significant concerns regarding the integrity of electoral processes and the potential politicization of the police force in Kenya.
A collage of DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua and police IG Douglas Kanja./FILE DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua has written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, raising concerns over the security arrangements for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Gachagua has urged the National Police Service to guarantee a peaceful and credible poll.
In a four-page letter dated July 15, 2026, Gachagua questioned the command and deployment of police officers ahead of Thursday's vote, while making a series of allegations about the conduct of security personnel and the management of election security.
The National Police Service had not responded to the contents of the letter by the time of publication.
The letter, titled "RE: Olkalou By-Elections and Police Deployment," was addressed directly to the Inspector General.
Gachagua claimed that command of the National Police Service had "completely gone" to top government officials and Kenya Kwanza politicians.
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