The incidents, which heightened tensions in the closely watched contest, saw security officers engaged residents in running battles in a bid to restore order.
Hell broke loose after ugly confrontation at St Joseph Catholic Comprehensive School where residents forced out a suspicious vehicle they claimed was being used in alleged vote manipulation.
Angry residents briefly barricaded a section of the road leading to the polling centre, vowing not to allow what they described as suspicious vehicles to access the area.
They heaped stones and poles across the road in Ol Kalou town centre, only allowing vehicles associated with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to pass.
Moments later, tear gas canisters were reportedly fired into the crowd, triggering panic as residents scattered in different directions while screaming.
Security agencies maintained tight patrols across the constituency, making several arrests linked to election-related offences as they sought to prevent disruptions.
The residents were voting to replace their MP David Kiaraho who died on March 29, 2026.
Polling stations opened on time in most parts of the constituency, with long queues witnessed in the morning as voters sought to cast their ballots early.
The exercise, however, unfolded under a heavy police presence following days of heated campaigns and isolated incidents of violence.
The candidates cast their ballots in the morning, each accompanied by supporters. They urged voters to remain peaceful and turn out in large numbers.
Speaking after voting, both UDA and DCP candidates expressed optimism that the electorate would hand them the mandate to represent the constituency.
UDA candidate Samuel Muchina told journalists he was ready to accept the outcome of the by-election after casting his vote at Huruma Primary School.
He expressed confidence that he would win the contest but said he would respect the will of the electorate regardless of the outcome. "I am ready for the outcome because I know I am winning. If I lose, it's also okay. I will follow the law," he said.
Muchina, who was received by election officials before proceeding to cast his ballot, praised the security arrangements put in place for the by-election, saying police officers had been deployed across the constituency to maintain order.
"Security is well organised and officers are everywhere," he said.
DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau also expressed confidence in winning the seat.
Speaking at AIC Comprehensive School polling station in Ol Kalou town where voted, Kamau praised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for what he described as a smooth and efficient voting process.
"I have just cast my vote, and I am very happy with the speed at which the IEBC is working," he said.
The DCP candidate said he had toured several polling stations across the constituency and was impressed by the voter turnout.
"I have visited several polling stations. The turnout is in large numbers," he said.
He arrived at the polling centre at about 10.20 am, accompanied by Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara.
Kamau, however, noted that there had been minor challenges during the opening of polling stations.
"There were just a few hitches in the morning where some of our agents were asked to provide copies of their IDs, but the issue was resolved," he said.
He commended the security arrangements put in place for the by-election, saying the exercise had remained peaceful.
"Other than that, security is tight, and people have come out in large numbers," he said.
Other candidates included Timothy Kamau (People’s Renaissance Movement), Edwin Muchiri (PNU), Wilson Kigwa (Jubilee), Stephen Wanyoike (NLP), Rachael Njoroge (PDP), Edward Mwaniki (Kenya Moja Movement), and Abdifatah Hussein (Federal Party of Kenya).
Political camps traded accusations over alleged voter inducement and intimidation, with each side expressing concerns over the conduct of the poll.
DCP boss Rigathi Gachagua in a mid-day statement alleged a plot by plain cloth officers to attack two key polling stations with aim of stuffing marked ballot papers.
“Having sensed defeat, UDA-allied MPs are allegedly meeting with rogue police officers to storm major polling stations, disrupt voting, and stuff ballot boxes,” Gachagua said in a statement.
“I urgently request election observers, the international media, local media stations, social media users, and everyone with a camera to proceed to Huruma polling station, St Joseph and AC Primary School to document any attempted attack and disruption.’’
Long queues formed at polling stations across the constituency as voters turned out in large numbers to elect a new MP in a by-election that has attracted national political attention.
By the time polling stations opened at 6am, hundreds of voters had already assembled outside schools and other polling centres, eager to cast their ballots before proceeding with their daily activities.
As voting got underway, queues snaked across school compounds and along access roads, reflecting the high level of public interest in the contest.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The by-election, widely viewed as a major political contest, has attracted national attention, with the outcome expected to provide an indication of the shifting political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election
