Police confirm plainclothes officers in Ol Kalou, deny unmarked cars

The by-election is being held to fill the vacant Member of the National Assembly seat following the death of the area MP, David Njuguna Kiaraho of the Jubilee Party, on March 29, 2026.

The contest has attracted national attention and is widely viewed as a key test of political influence in the Mt. Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Central Regional Commander Joshua Nkanatha has denied claims that security officers are conducting operations in Ol Kalou using unmarked cars.

He said the use of cars without number plates is illegal and those found culpable will face the law.

“No police officer is driving an unmarked car, the DCI have their number plates, the police…, and even my car has a number plate,” he said.

Nkanatha was responding to claims by DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala that police officers are moving around in civilian clothing and unmarked cars to intimidate voters.

"We expect victory, but we have also seen so many vehicles running around without number plates. I think this is a concern that the police should take note of. Some of them are plain-clothes police officers, and their aim is to intimidate voters," he said.

Nkanatha, however acknowledged the presence of plain clothes police officers in Ol Kalou.

“Definitely the DCI officers are here with us and we know that they normally put of civilian clothing. So we can’t say we don’t have officers in civilian,” he said.

According to Nkanatha enough police officers have been deployed in all polling stations to provide security to voters.

Voting is currently underway in Ol Kalou and no major incidents have so far been reported.