Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that residents of Ol Kalou are being asked to surrender their national identity cards in exchange for free gas cylinders and government-branded mattresses, claiming the exercise is intended to deny voters the opportunity to vote ahead of the July 16 by-election.In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, Gachagua claimed that the alleged activity is part of a broader scheme to prevent eligible voters from participating in the upcoming poll.

“Reports reaching me from Ol Kalou are that residents are being asked to surrender their identity cards in exchange for a free gas cylinder and a GoK-branded mattress. This is a scheme to deny you the opportunity and right to vote on the by-elections of 16th July 2026,” he wrote.
Gachagua urged residents not to hand over their identification documents, emphasizing that the national ID is essential for voter identification during elections.

“Please don’t surrender your Identity Card to anyone. Let the Government and UDA campaigners give you the gas cylinder and a GoK mattress,” he added.

Additionally, Gachagua encouraged residents to accept any development projects or donations being offered that have not been delivered to Ol Kalou since independence, but cautioned them against exchanging their constitutional right to vote