By Mpekuzi Halisi Media | July 16, 2026
Mpekuzi Halisi Media joins the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), Kenya National Commission on Human Rights { KNHCHR}, the Nation Media Group {NMG} civil society organizations, and all stakeholders in strongly condemning the shocking incident that occurred today, July 16, 2026, at the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election in Nyandarua County.
Armed civilian men dressed in balaclavas and traveling in unmarked Toyota Land Cruisers (Prados) and other SUVs stormed polling stations, firing live bullets into the air, lobbing tear gas canisters at peaceful queues of voters exercising their constitutional rights, and brutally assaulting accredited journalists covering the election.
Journalists Attacked and Equipment Confiscated
The assault on the press was deliberate and chilling. Among the journalists targeted were:
Enos Teche, a photojournalist with The Star , who was attacked outside Ol Kalou Comprehensive School, physically assaulted, and had his camera confiscated by armed and masked men. He sustained a hand injury and was later forced to record a statement with detectives at the DCI office in Ol Kalou.
Brygettes Ngana, a journalist with Nation Media Group , along with her cameraperson, who were also assaulted and had their camera seized by individuals believed to be plainclothes officers.
These were not isolated acts of violence — they were deliberately orchestrated actions aimed at intimidating the media, silencing the truth, and denying the Kenyan public their right to transparent, accountable, and peaceful electoral participation.
A Dark Day for Democracy
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has since disowned the armed hooded men, stating they are not part of official election security arrangements. Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan confirmed that IEBC had earlier warned that all unmarked vehicles interfering with the electoral process should be impounded. Yet these men operated with impunity.
This incident is a grave assault on press freedom, democracy, and the constitutional rights of every Kenyan voter. When armed men in masks can storm a polling station, fire bullets, gas citizens, and strip journalists of their tools — all without consequence — we must ask: Who do these men serve? And who protects the people?
Our Stand
Mpekuzi Halisi Media stands in solidarity with the Media Council of Kenya and all stakeholders mentthe affected journalists, and the people of Ol Kalou. We demand:
1. Immediate identification and prosecution of the perpetrators.
2. Unconditional return of all confiscated media equipment.
3. Accountability from the Inspector General of Police and all security agencies.
4. A guarantee that such brazen attacks on democracy and the press will never happen again.
The camera is not a weapon. The pen is not a threat. A voter in a queue is not a criminal. Democracy dies when those who document it are silenced by bullets and tear gas.
#PressFreedom #OlKalou #MpekuziHalisiMedia #JournalismIsNotACrime