As Kenya prepares for the August 10 General Election, security agencies have expressed concern over the mobilisation of criminal gangs and goons to unleash violence. This trend poses a critical threat to the credibility of the elections. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has documented 284 incidents of political violence nationwide, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries during premature campaigning.
The KHRC has warned that violence, intimidation, and interference with civic freedoms are bound to intensify as the election approaches. Between January 1 and July 31, 3,222 people were affected by incidents ranging from physical assault and arbitrary arrests to the suppression of protests, enforced disappearances, and attacks on the media. Nearly 50 deaths have been attributed to the police.
A Ministry of Interior report indicates that known illegal gangs have risen from 89 to 109, with the highest concentration in western Kenya, the Rift Valley, and Nairobi. The National Police Service has denied culpability in the rising cases of violence, despite being implicated. Civil society organisations and State security agencies have flagged a dangerous trend of early political mobilisation targeting vulnerable populations for exploitation by politicians.
The KHRC has raised questions about voter safety, freedom to campaign, and the credibility of the vote. Some civil society groups have moved to the High Court, seeking orders compelling the State to establish a multi-agency task force to prosecute political financiers and organisers of election violence.
True deterrence hinges on security organs targeting financiers rather than youth unleashing violence. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has stated that “a credible election should be free of violence”. The IEBC and national security agencies must enable free and fair elections so that the true verdicts of voters emerge from the grassroots to the highest office in the land: the presidency.
As the election draws near, concerns about the safety of voters and the overall credibility of the process continue to mount. With the country having experienced violence in previous elections, there is a need for security agencies to take proactive measures to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
The government and security agencies have been urged to take concrete steps to address the issue of gang mobilisation and premature campaigning. The IEBC and security agencies must work together to ensure that the August 10 elections are free, fair, and credible.
Key points
- The Kenya Human Rights Commission has documented 284 incidents of political violence nationwide.
- A Ministry of Interior report indicates that known illegal gangs have risen from 89 to 109.
- The IEBC has stated that “a credible election should be free of violence”.
