No Arrests Yet Over Ol Kalou By-Election Violence Despite Video Evidence
Days after heavily armed, masked men disrupted the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, assaulted residents, and allegedly robbed journalists of their equipment, no arrests have been made despite extensive video footage and mounting public outrage over the incident.
The failure to apprehend those responsible has raised questions about the effectiveness of the ongoing investigation and fueled criticism of the country’s security agencies.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has opened an investigation into the violence and urged witnesses to come forward and record statements to strengthen the case against those involved.
“The DCI has already opened a file. Investigations are ongoing. Persons will be summoned. When files are ready, they will be presented to the Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution,” Murkomen said.
The attack, which unfolded in broad daylight, saw masked men arrive in high-end vehicles before unleashing violence on residents. Witnesses reported that the group deployed tear gas canisters, fired shots into the air, assaulted members of the public, and targeted journalists covering the by-election.
Despite photographs and videos circulating widely on social media showing some of the suspects and the vehicles they used, no official arrests have been announced.
Critics have questioned how the attackers have remained free despite the availability of visual evidence, with some alleging that the perpetrators enjoyed protection from powerful individuals.
Among the vehicles seen at the scene was one linked to Kiambaa MP John Njuguna Wanjiku, popularly known as Kawanjiku. The legislator has denied any involvement in the violence or any association with the armed men.
Responding to the allegations, Kaguchia insisted he was innocent and dismissed claims that he had colluded with those behind the attacks.
Murkomen, however, emphasized that photographs and videos alone are not sufficient to secure criminal convictions, urging members of the public who directly witnessed the violence to assist investigators.
“As it stands now, all Kenyans who have complaints or witnessed any of those acts beyond just seeing them on camera, it is important to record a statement with the DCI so that proper action is taken to make sure that this nation is safe,” he said.
The incident has also renewed scrutiny over the deployment of security officers during the by-election.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had deployed more than 1,000 police officers to provide security during the exercise, prompting questions about how armed attackers were able to carry out the operation in the presence of such a significant security contingent without being intercepted or arrested.
Meanwhile, the political blame game over the violence continues.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has maintained that the attackers operated under state protection, accusing the government of failing to guarantee public safety and allowing political violence to flourish.
Murkomen has rejected those accusations, insisting that investigations will be guided by evidence and due process rather than political claims.
The Ol Kalou attack has become one of several high-profile incidents of political violence currently under investigation. While arrests have been made in some election-related cases across the country, the failure to identify and apprehend those behind the Ol Kalou violence continues to generate public concern.
As the DCI proceeds with its investigations, pressure is mounting on law enforcement agencies to deliver accountability and reassure Kenyans that perpetrators of politically motivated violence will be brought to justice, regardless of their affiliations.
