The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has defended its handling of alleged misconduct during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying several people were summoned, fined and warned for breaking election rules.

Commissioner Ann Nderitu said the commission had acted through its Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee after receiving complaints of breaches during the campaign.

“In Ol Kalou, we summoned several people who breached the code of conduct,” Ms Nderitu said. “We took them through the process; we fined and warned them and did what the Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee is expected to do by law.”

Her remarks came weeks after the July 16 by-election, which was held amid a tense campaign marked by allegations of violence, intimidation and voter bribery. The poll itself had been formally scheduled by the IEBC for that date.

Ms Nderitu said the commission's role became limited when some of those affected by its decisions challenged them in court.

“Some went to court to challenge the decision,” she said. “Our process ends there because we have to wait for the verdict of the court.”

The comments appeared to address criticism that the electoral commission had failed to act firmly enough against alleged violations.

The campaign had drawn sharp accusations from across Kenya's political divide. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua raised concerns about possible vote rigging and security during the contest, while the United Democratic Alliance rejected his claims and said they were unsupported.

On election day, Mr Gachagua urged residents to remain vigilant over the vote. The IEBC rejected suggestions that the process was vulnerable to interference, saying security had been deployed and that votes would be counted after polling closed.

Ms Nderitu said the commission was also reviewing its approach to election security as Kenya moves towards the 2027 General Election.

She said police officers deployed to polling stations and tallying centres operate within the electoral command structure during an election and are briefed on their responsibilities by the commission.

The IEBC, she said, remained committed to protecting the integrity of the ballot.

“Where your vote is, is where it will be counted,” Ms Nderitu said.

The Ol Kalou contest was closely watched as a test of political strength in the Mount Kenya region. Official results showed the Democracy for Citizens Party candidate winning by a wide margin over his closest rival from the United Democratic Alliance.

The election, however, also exposed the deep mistrust that often surrounds closely contested polls in Kenya. While the IEBC says it acted against breaches brought before its enforcement mechanisms, its critics have continued to question whether the rules were applied consistently.

For now, some disputes have moved beyond the commission and into the courts, where the remaining challenges will be decided.