The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has assured voters that everyone participating in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election will be identified using the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kits, as part of measures to safeguard the integrity of the poll.
In a voter education update issued on Thursday, the Commission said all eligible voters whose names appear in the certified Register of Voters for the constituency will undergo biometric identification before they are issued with ballot papers.
"All eligible voters appearing in the certified Register of Voters for the by-election area will be identified biometrically using the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kit," the Commission said.
The by-election was called following the death of Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho earlier this year, leaving the Nyandarua constituency without representation in the National Assembly.
The KIEMS kit, first introduced during the 2017 General Election, is used to electronically verify a voter's identity by matching their fingerprints and personal details with the register of voters before they are allowed to vote. The system is intended to prevent multiple voting, eliminate impersonation and ensure that only registered voters cast ballots.
The Ol Kalou contest has drawn national political attention, with both the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition viewing it as an early indicator of voter sentiment in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Throughout the day, the IEBC has issued a series of voter education messages to explain polling procedures and reassure the public about the safeguards in place during the election. The Commission has also reminded voters to rely on official communication channels for accurate election information to counter misinformation.
Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. and are scheduled to close at 5 p.m., after which votes will be counted at the polling stations before results are transmitted to the constituency tallying centre.
The successful candidate will replace the late David Kiaraho and serve as the Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou for the remainder of the current parliamentary term.
