A coalition of opposition leaders and political groups has raised the alarm over a string of violent incidents involving political leaders and their supporters, warning that Kenya risks sliding into a culture of intimidation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The leaders, under the United Alternative Government and Linda Mwananchi platforms, have called for independent investigations into recent clashes and attacks reported in Rongai in Nakuru County, Mulot in Bomet and Homa Bay and Keumbu in Kisii counties.
In a joint statement issued in Nairobi on Wednesday, the leaders said the incidents could no longer be treated as isolated confrontations between rival political groups, arguing that the pattern raised serious questions about the preparedness and neutrality of security agencies.
They demanded investigations into allegations that some of the violence occurred in the presence or within the operational reach of police officers.
The leaders questioned how organised groups of armed civilians could mobilise, move openly and attack political leaders, journalists, ordinary citizens and, in some cases, police officers without being stopped.
They warned that the developments could undermine constitutional freedoms, including the rights to assemble, campaign, speak freely and participate in political activities without fear.
“Kenya must never accept political violence as the price of democracy,” former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i said.
He said every Kenyan had a right to speak, assemble, campaign and vote without fear, urging political actors to ensure the 2027 contest was based on competing ideas rather than intimidation.
“As we move towards 2027, our politics must be a contest of ideas, not intimidation; ballots, not bullets,” Dr Matiang’i said.
People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua said the violence witnessed in Homa Bay should not be allowed to become a feature of Kenyan politics.
“What happened in Homa Bay cannot be the new normal in Kenya,” Ms Karua said, citing disrupted political gatherings, attacks on convoys and alleged deployment of goons to intimidate citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
She questioned why individuals allegedly captured on camera participating in the violence had not been arrested and prosecuted.
“Many of those involved in this state-sponsored goonism have been captured clearly on camera. Why have we not seen those responsible and those who organise, finance and enable them held to account?” she posed.
The leaders said the Government had a constitutional responsibility to protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations and demanded that security agencies act impartially against perpetrators of political violence.
They also called on religious leaders, civil society organisations, lawyers, professional associations, youth groups and the media to unite in defending constitutional rights and resisting what they described as the normalisation of intimidation, militia activity and politically sponsored violence.
The coalition further urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to work with other institutions to guarantee an environment in which Kenyans can campaign and vote freely and peacefully.
The leaders escalated their appeal to the international level, asking the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to closely monitor developments in Kenya and assess whether available information could warrant examination under the Rome Statute.
They said the ICC should consider action if evidence emerges of widespread or systematic attacks against civilians being organised, financed, directed or tolerated by individuals in positions of authority.
The statement specifically named President William Ruto, urging the ICC Prosecutor to examine whether the legal threshold for action under Article 15 of the Rome Statute could be met.
The leaders, however, said their appeal was not intended to prejudge the criminal responsibility of any individual but to underscore the importance of accountability as a deterrent to political violence.
They warned that political office should not shield anyone from accountability where the legal requirements for international criminal responsibility are established.
The group said Kenya must not return to the circumstances surrounding the 2007-08 post-election violence, which led to international scrutiny and proceedings before the ICC.
Their statement came against the backdrop of heightened political activity as parties and leaders position themselves for the 2027 elections, with the opposition increasingly focusing on the conduct of political rallies and the role of security agencies.
The leaders also announced plans to establish a People’s Forum for Electoral Preparedness, to be coordinated by former Chief Justice David Maraga, former Attorney-General Justin Muturi and Azimio Secretary-General Caroli Omondi.
The forum is scheduled for October 9, 2026.
The coalition said the initiative would bring together Kenyans committed to ensuring that the next election is peaceful, credible and conducted in accordance with the Constitution.
The leaders issued a stark warning to political actors accused of sponsoring violence, saying responsibility for unlawful acts should not disappear with the passage of time.
Their message was that no Kenyan should lose life, liberty or property because of political affiliation and that journalists should be able to cover political events without fearing for their lives.
They also called for police officers to remain loyal to the Constitution and the law rather than political interests.
“No citizen should be denied the right to campaign, assemble or vote because armed militia have been unleashed upon them,” the leaders said.
They declared that the 2027 election must be a contest decided by voters rather than violence.
“The 2027 General Election must be a contest of ideas—not intimidation; ballots—not bullets; democracy—not violence,” they said.
The statement was signed by Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Jubilee Party deputy leader Fred Matiang’i, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, United Green Movement leader David Maraga, Linda Mwananchi Movement leader James Orengo, Azimio Secretary-General Caroli Omondi and Umoja na Maendeleo Party leader James Kilonzi.
The coalition said the ultimate safeguard against political violence remained an alert citizenry willing to defend constitutional freedoms.
“The future of Kenya will not be determined by militias or fear. It will be determined by the sovereign will of the people,” the leaders said.
