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ADVERTPolling firm Infotrak Research has issued a firm rebuttal to a viral “opinion poll” purporting to show a commanding victory for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the hotly contested Ol Kalou by-election, warning Kenyans against the growing menace of election misinformation.
The graphic, widely circulated across social media platforms, bore Infotrak’s branding and claimed UDA candidate Samuel Muchina was leading with 54.6 percent support, ahead of Sammy Ngotho of the Democratic Congress Party (DCP) at 41.0 percent.
But in a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, Infotrak categorically disowned the survey.
“A poll currently circulating online regarding the Ol Kalou Member of Parliament by-election is not from our organization. We did not conduct, commission, publish, or endorse the poll,” the firm stated.
ADVERTMisinformation Meets a Charged Political Climate
The clarification comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following the July 16 by-election, where DCP’s Kamau Ngotho emerged victorious in a race that had drawn intense national attention.
Infotrak urged the public to rely strictly on its verified communication channels, cautioning that fake polling data can distort public perception, inflame partisan divisions, and undermine electoral integrity.
“Verify before you share,” the firm emphasized, noting that all its official surveys are released exclusively via its authenticated platforms.
In the aftermath of the vote, senior government figure Moses Kuria acknowledged the outcome, congratulating MP-elect Kamau Ngotho and pledging that national development projects in Ol Kalou would proceed uninterrupted.
Kuria outlined an ambitious slate of ongoing initiatives, including the construction of Nyandarua University, key road upgrades, and the continued operation of the Nairobi–Gilgil–Ol Kalou–Nyahururu railway corridor. Additional commitments span electrification drives, water connectivity projects, and large-scale agricultural investments such as avocado farming aimed at export markets.
Healthcare and social infrastructure projects—including the Mashujaa Wing at JM Kariuki Hospital, affordable housing units, and youth employment programmes—are also set to continue despite UDA’s electoral setback.
The Infotrak episode underscores a growing trend in Kenya’s electoral cycles: the weaponization of digital content to shape narratives in real time. As political actors jostle for influence, the line between authentic data and fabricated propaganda is becoming increasingly blurred.
For voters and stakeholders, the message is clear—scrutinize the source, question the numbers, and resist the viral pull of unverified claims.
As the dust settles in Ol Kalou, the real contest may not just be at the ballot—but in the battle for truth.
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