The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) warned Tuesday that escalating political intolerance, violence, incitement and the alleged use of organised groups to intimidate opponents are threatening Kenya’s democratic space ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The commission said it had documented a worrying pattern of political-related violence between June and August 2026, including deaths, attacks on civilians and police officers, destruction of property, disruption of political activities and assaults on journalists and human rights defenders.
KNCHR Chairperson Claris Ogangah said the developments were “deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable” in a constitutional democracy.
“The loss of life, attacks against civilians and security officers, destruction of property, threats against political opponents, and the growing use of inflammatory and divisive rhetoric are deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable,” the commission said.
Among the incidents documented by KNCHR was the violent disruption of a public participation forum on the 2026/27 national budget at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on June 12, where armed men allegedly stormed the premises, assaulted participants and damaged property.
On July 3, a fatal attack was reported during a political rally in Keumbu, Kisii County.
The commission also cited an attack on a political convoy near Gilgil on July 11, followed the next day by disruptions of political activities in Kisumu and Nyahururu.
In Kisumu, an attack on a church service at St Stephen’s Cathedral resulted in loss of life, according to the commission.
On July 23, journalists from Mt Elgon TV were attacked while covering a political aspirant in Kimilili, Bungoma County. One journalist was seriously injured.
KNCHR also pointed to violence surrounding the July 16 Ol Kalou Constituency by-election, which it described as unprecedented and documented in its report titled Perilous Politics: Human Rights Compliance Analysis of the 16th July 2026 Ol Kalou Constituency By-Election.
The commission said violence had continued into August.
On August 12, youth advocates and human rights defenders associated with VOCAL Africa and partner organisations were reportedly attacked and dispersed outside the Mombasa County Assembly while presenting a memorandum on implementation of the Mombasa County Youth Policy.
A Nation Media Group photojournalist covering the event was also reportedly injured.
On August 14, KNCHR said violence was meted out against citizens in the Nakuru Town West area during a politically related convoy.
Two days later, Homa Bay recorded the deaths of a police officer and a civilian during political-related violence, according to reports cited by the commission.
Similar reports of attacks on political convoys emerged from Mulot in Bomet County, while disturbances were also reported in Salgaa.
KNCHR said the incidents were evidence of a broader pattern of political intolerance affecting different political formations, journalists, civil society organisations and human rights defenders.
The commission expressed particular concern over political speeches and public utterances that could encourage hostility, intimidation or violence against people perceived to support opposing political views.
It said it had documented speeches by politicians that allegedly employed rhetoric likely to incite violence, including explicit calls for supporters to attack or harass opponents, descriptions of rival groups as “animals,” “diseases” or “infestations”, and attempts to portray violence as a necessary form of self-defence.
While acknowledging that some of the language could have been used metaphorically, KNCHR warned that political leaders wield significant influence over their supporters and that such remarks could be interpreted literally or acted upon.
The commission urged politicians to exercise caution and avoid rhetoric that could incite their supporters to violence.
KNCHR also raised alarm over attacks on law enforcement officers, civilians, journalists and political actors, stressing that violence and interference with the lawful exercise of political and civic rights were unacceptable.
It said such conduct undermines democratic participation, public confidence in institutions, the rule of law and Kenya’s human rights obligations.
The commission further warned about the growing use of road blockades, barricades and organised disruption of rallies, meetings, processions and church services.
According to KNCHR, such actions could undermine constitutional freedoms of movement, peaceful assembly, association and political participation guaranteed under Articles 36, 37, 38 and 39 of the Constitution.
“Left unaddressed, this emerging pattern risks normalizing roadblocks, barricades and organized disruption as instruments of political competition, with far-reaching consequences for Kenya’s democratic space ahead of the 2027 General Election,” the commission said.
KNCHR called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to urgently and independently investigate all reported cases of political violence, incitement and destruction of property.
It wants individuals found culpable—including politicians, perpetrators, organisers, financiers and those who incite violence—to be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The commission also called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate allegations of hate speech, incitement and conduct likely to undermine national cohesion.
The Inspector-General of the National Police Service was urged to take a firm, impartial and lawful stance against political violence and “goonism” and ensure equal protection for all people exercising their constitutional rights, including journalists and media workers.
Political leaders, parties and their supporters were also urged to reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation and the use of organised groups.
KNCHR further called for stronger early-warning, prevention and response mechanisms in areas where political tensions could escalate.
Young people and members of the public were urged to reject recruitment, payment or mobilisation for violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other human rights violations.
The commission said it would continue monitoring the situation and working with government agencies, civil society organisations, human rights defenders and other partners to strengthen early warning and prevention mechanisms.
It also reiterated its call for implementation of recommendations contained in its report on the Ol Kalou by-election.
KNCHR conveyed condolences to families who lost relatives in the political violence and wished those injured a full recovery.
It warned that political differences must never be resolved through violence, threats, coercion or impunity, saying the current trajectory, if not urgently addressed, risks pushing the country “into a precipice” ahead of the 2027 elections.
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