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.
He further alleged that the security challenges witnessed in Ol Kalou were linked to what he described as “plain-clothes rogue police officers” rather than political supporters.
“The security challenge in Olkalou and across Kenya isn’t too much about the goons but the plain-clothes rogue police officers outside of your command,” he wrote.
In the letter, Gachagua cited four incidents that he said affected DCP officials and supporters during the campaign period. They include an alleged assault on party officials, an alleged attack on the party’s campaign team, damage to a campaign sound truck and what he described as an attempted assassination of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega. He claimed no action had been taken over the incidents.
The DCP leader also questioned the deployment of more than 1,000 police officers to Ol Kalou, describing the security presence as unprecedented.
“We have noted the deployment of over 2,000 police officers in Olkalou; this is unprecedented in the history of elections in our country,” he wrote.
Gachagua called on the Inspector General to ensure that all officers deployed during the by-election are in uniform, display their service numbers and use clearly marked police vehicles.
“The 2,000 police officers deployed must be uniformed; they must display their service numbers, they must not be hooded, and they must use clearly marked police vehicles,” the letter reads.
He also alleged that some officers had been deployed with instructions intended to interfere with the electoral process. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
Gachagua further urged the Inspector General to withdraw officers he described as non-uniformed.
“For a start, you may, if you have the guts, order the immediate withdrawal of all non-uniformed police officers deployed in Olkalou,” he stated.
As the by-election draws closer, Gachagua appealed to the police chief to ensure peace and uphold the law, while citing Section 12 of the Election Offences Act on the use of national security organs during elections.
“If the 2,000 police officers will not be able to maintain peace in Olkalou, then you will lose it all. Mr. IG, let the police not cause violence; let the police keep peace, law and order,” he wrote.
The letter concludes with the statement: “You have a date with destiny on 16th July, 2026.”
Gachagua’s statement come after Kanja announced Tuesday, the deployment of more than 1,000 police officers to provide security during the Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for Thursday, July 16.
Speaking on security preparedness ahead of the poll, Kanja said all the 114 polling stations in the constituency have been adequately covered in line with standard deployment procedures.
“We have over 1,000 police officers deployed to ensure that the by-election is adequately covered,” Kanja said.
He explained that each polling station will have a minimum of two police officers tasked with safeguarding election materials, securing the voting process and ensuring electoral officials carry out their duties without interference.
“Their work shall be to safeguard the voting materials, the voting process itself, while offering adequate security at each and every polling station, ensuring the electoral officials perform their duties well and unhindered,” he said.
The Inspector General added that riot control teams comprising at least 14 officers have also been stationed at every polling centre to provide additional security and respond to any disturbances.
To strengthen the operation further, specialised units have been deployed across the constituency
According to Kanja, DCI officers will focus on intelligence gathering, investigations, arrests and prosecution of individuals involved in electoral malpractices.
“The focus of the DCI deployment is intelligence gathering, investigations, arrests and prosecution of any party or individuals involved in electoral malpractice,” he said.
The heightened security operation comes amid concerns ove political violence and electoral offences that have been reported during the campaign period.
Kanja urged voters, candidates and their supporters to maintain peace and comply with electoral laws, assuring residents that security agencies are fully prepared to ensure a free, fair and peaceful by-election.
