With just days remaining before the July 16 parliamentary by-election in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County has become the centre of intense political activity as leaders allied to the ruling party continue to campaign across the constituency.

The heightened campaigns, however, have sparked debate after claims of cash handouts and the distribution of government-branded items to residents.

The latest controversy followed remarks by Nakuru East MP David Gikaria during a campaign meeting on Tuesday, where he openly spoke about the resources being used to mobilise voters and explained why members of his campaign team were requesting National Identity cards from residents.

“Yesterday alone, right here among you, I spent Ksh.1.2 million. I did not chase anyone away. Was anyone sent away from the meeting? I said those who had come, even if they had not been invited, should stay,” Gikaria said.

The legislator dismissed claims that collecting identity card details was intended to influence the election, explaining that the exercise was only meant to confirm whether beneficiaries were registered in polling stations assigned to his campaign team.

“I have been assigned Gedhima and Nyakiambi polling stations… That is why they are asking for your ID,” he said.

Gikaria further revealed that his campaign had been allocated Ksh.250,000 daily to support mobilisation activities within the polling stations under his supervision. His remarks quickly generated criticism online, with many Kenyans questioning whether the activities amounted to voter bribery.

Some social media users argued that openly distributing money during campaigns undermines the credibility of the electoral process and called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to investigate the matter.

The controversy comes a day after government officials from different ministries distributed government-branded mattresses and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders to residents in parts of the constituency.

Images and videos circulating online showed long queues of people receiving the items, further fuelling public debate over the timing of the exercise ahead of the by-election.

As campaigns intensify, attention is now shifting to electoral agencies and other oversight institutions, with growing calls for the poll to be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

The coming days are expected to test the integrity of the electoral process as voters prepare to elect their next Member of Parliament.