The Defenders Coalition has condemned the reported arrest and detention of human rights defender and Tuko Kadi campaign mobiliser Allans Ademba during the Ol Kalou Parliamentary By-election, describing the move as an attempt to intimidate election observers and suppress independent civic monitoring.

In a statement posted on X on July 16, the rights organisation said Ademba was arrested at around 9:00 a.m. while observing the by-election at AC Comprehensive School Polling Station.

“Allans was arrested today at around 9.00 AM at the AC Comprehensive School Polling Station while lawfully conducting observation of the ongoing Ol Kalou by-elections,” the coalition said.

According to the organisation, Ademba was being held at the Ol Kalou Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices without formal processing or a clear legal basis for his arrest.

“The Defenders Coalition views this as a direct attempt to intimidate civic actors and disrupt independent election monitoring. The State must cease the harassment of monitors/observers and release him unconditionally,” the statement added.

Before news of his arrest emerged, Ademba had been actively posting updates from Ol Kalou through his X account, documenting the voting process and raising concerns over voter eligibility.

“Ol Kalou residents have turned out in large numbers to vote. NOTE: Only those who voted in 2022 are being allowed to vote. The newly registered voters are not allowed to vote as per the IEBC Rules,” he wrote.

Earlier, at 7:37 a.m., Ademba had also shared a video showing voters queuing at the AC Comprehensive School Polling Station as voting got underway.

“Ol Kalou residents are already out. This is the current situation at AC polling station in Ol Kalou.” Ademba captioned the video.

He did not post any further updates explaining the circumstances surrounding his arrest or whether police had informed him of the reasons for his detention.

Neither the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) nor the National Police Service (NPS) has issued an official statement explaining the circumstances of the arrest or indicating whether Ademba would face any charges.

Ademba gained national prominence in March after launching the Tuko Kadi online campaign, a digital mobilisation initiative encouraging Kenyans, particularly young people, to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.