Kenyans on their own as state agencies fail to curb political violence

Youths at Nyandiwa shopping centre in Homa Bay County during Linda Mwananchi rally on August 16, 2026. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Political violence, disruption of public gatherings and by-elections have left several people injured or dead, yet the independent institutions mandated to prevent and address such incidents have failed to act.

The institutions, which include the National Assembly, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the National Police Service (NPS), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), have been accused of failing to take decisive action against perpetrators of political violence.

And when they act, the institutions, which are supposed to operate independently without the influence of political forces, have come under scrutiny over selective justice and double standards in the application of the law, allegedly targeting critics or opposition-aligned figures while shielding allied politicians or government officials accused of making similar inflammatory remarks.

During the recent Homa Bay attacks against Linda Mwananchi leaders, no powerful politician has been arrested in connection with allegedly sponsoring the violence that left two people dead and more than 40 injured, despite public pronouncements that Opposition leaders and ‘Wantam’ slogans were not welcome in Homa Bay.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s convoy was attacked during his recent tour of Nakuru County, while Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i’s rally was disrupted in Bomet County. However, no one has been apprehended and charged over the chaos.

During the recent Ol-Kalou by-election, two people were killed as heavily armed men wearing balaclavas allegedly roamed freely in the constituency, firing indiscriminately in full view of uniformed police officers who appeared helpless to intervene.

Cases of political violence in churches have also been reported. Goons stormed All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi and disrupted a post-budget analysis meeting. Later, the goons reportedly confessed that they had been sponsored by a powerful politician allied to the Broad-Based Government.

Women and children were also attacked by an armed group that lobbed tear gas inside Witima ACK Church in Othaya earlier this year.

Association of Pentecostal Vocational Training Institutions of Kenya CEO Namusasi Chinungo, flanked by Rev Njiru Wajoshua and other members, addresses the Press at Daystar University, August 19, 2026. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

On July 3, 2026, two people died and scores were injured after they were attacked by goons during a Linda Mwananchi rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna in Keumbu, Kisii County. However, even this incident has not prompted institutions such as the DCI to commence investigations.

Pressure has mounted on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to resign over his alleged failure to prevent political violence, inaction against hired goons and perceived bias during rallies and by-elections.

Civil society rights groups, churches and Opposition figures have condemned law enforcement agencies for their alleged inaction after goons and teargas were used to disrupt events and church services. Critics have alleged that officers either looked the other way or shielded perpetrators.

On Thursday, Gachagua wrote to Kanja informing him that despite his scheduled visit to Emurua Dikkir on Friday, a section of leaders had threatened him not to set foot in the constituency. He demanded assurance that his entourage would not be attacked by goons.

“I wish to remind you that you took the oath of office to protect human life and property for all Kenyans. I have severally informed you that it is during your reign as IG that the National Police Service is fully under the reign and command of goons and civilians. It is either you are part of this scheme or you have abdicated your duties,” read the letter.

He said that despite his letter to the Office of the Inspector General of Police on January 30, in which he allegedly presented evidence of 24 attacks against him, no one had been arrested.

“You either take charge of the Police Service ahead of the 10th August 2027 General Election or resign. You will recall General Mohamed Ali, the former Commissioner of Police, and his interaction with the ICC following the 2007/08 post-election chaos due to his sins of omission and commission,” he said.

Separately, an umbrella of churches, through the Church and Clergy Association of Kenya (CCAK), piled pressure on Kanja to resign for failing to bring sanity to the security sector, citing increased goonism in the country.

The association said Kanja needed to step aside to allow a competent leader to head the National Police Service.

“We ask the IG to resign and pave the way for a competent Kenyan to take over from him so that he can serve Kenyans,” the association remarked.

The church called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to investigate alleged police misuse of power and hold officers accountable.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) separately accused investigative bodies of sleeping on their mandate, even as it raised concerns that their failure to act on lawlessness was likely to undermine national cohesion.

According to Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, the government’s failure to take decisive action against perpetrators of political violence signalled that President William Ruto was comfortable with the violence witnessed recently in the country.

He said the agencies could be reluctant to act because of political influence, warning that quiet investigations without visible action would not be enough to restore public confidence.

“They are scared of the political power and convenience,” Maanzo said, arguing that President Ruto should take responsibility and act against officials accused of allowing or encouraging violence.

Maanzo specifically pointed to the Interior Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary, saying their continued presence in government raised questions about the President’s position on the violence.

He argued that failure to take action against senior officials would create the impression that the President approves of what is happening.

Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo maintained that Parliament had the power to summon and even order the removal of errant State officers such as Murkomen and Omollo. However, he claimed that it could not do so because “it was operating as an appendage of the Executive and State House,” a situation that made it difficult to maintain legislative independence.

“The National Assembly has failed in its mandate to play its independent duties and that’s why we haven’t sanctioned the State officers sleeping on the job. Leaders such as Kanja, Murkomen and Omollo ought to have been removed from their duties, and Parliament can be in a position to force their ouster,” he added.

Churches have also been accused of taking a disjointed approach towards demanding that the government maintain law and order. While some churches have held the government to account, the different associations have not adopted a unified approach to condemning political and electoral violence.