Activist Calls for Suspension of Political Meetings, Citing Alleged Existence of a Militia

 An Eldoret-based human rights activist has called on the government to suspend political meetings and gatherings across the country for one month, citing what he describes as growing signs of organised political violence and an emerging threat to national security.

Kipkorir Ngetich, speaking on behalf of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, urged the government, through the Inspector General of Police, to urgently halt political activities and meetings to allow security agencies to conduct comprehensive investigations into a series of violent incidents reported during recent political gatherings.

Ngetich said the incidents witnessed in different parts of the country should not be treated as isolated cases, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the violence point to what he described as a well-organised and funded network of criminal gangs and political goons.

He said the alleged groups could be preparing to disrupt public order and create instability as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.

“The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy wishes to call upon the government, through the Inspector General of Police, to urgently suspend all political activities and meetings for one month to allow a thorough investigation into the many dangerous cases of violence we have recently witnessed during political gatherings,” Ngetich said.

According to the activist, the country has effectively entered an electioneering period even though the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has not officially declared the campaign period.

He argued that the increased political mobilisation, public rallies and confrontations witnessed in some areas require the security agencies to take preventive measures before the situation deteriorates.

Calls for security agencies to intervene

Ngetich said the National Police Service and other security agencies have a responsibility to protect public order and prevent gatherings from becoming platforms for violence.

He called on the Inspector General of Police, Interior Cabinet Secretary and the Director of National Intelligence to assess the security situation and determine whether recent incidents could be connected to broader organised activities.

He warned that what may appear to be spontaneous political confrontations could, in his view, be part of a coordinated effort to cause instability.

“The public order framework should urgently inform the government that what we are seeing as spontaneous political violence could be cleverly organised and funded,” he said.

Ngetich claimed that there was an imminent threat to public safety through political incitement that could eventually result in loss of life, destruction of property and attacks on security officers.

He said the government should not wait until violence escalates before taking action.

The activist also urged authorities to investigate people and groups allegedly involved in mobilising young people for political activities, particularly where money is allegedly being used as an incentive.

Homa Bay and Nakuru incidents

Ngetich referred to recent incidents in Homa Bay and Nakuru, where individuals were arrested in connection with disturbances, arguing that the arrests should form part of a wider investigation into possible organised networks.

He claimed that some of those involved could be linked to groups prepared to unleash violence against civilians and security officers.

However, the allegations have not been independently established, and the activist did not publicly provide evidence demonstrating that the incidents were part of a coordinated militia network.

He nevertheless maintained that the security agencies should investigate the possibility rather than treating the incidents as ordinary criminal cases.

Ngetich said the reported attack on a police officer in Homa Bay should serve as a warning to the government and security agencies.

He argued that the incident could have wider implications for relations between political groups and the police, particularly amid competing claims over the political loyalties of security officers.

According to Ngetich, the incident should prompt investigations into whether individuals or groups are preparing for further attacks on security officers or civilians.

Calls for investigations into opposition leaders

The activist also called for investigations into several opposition figures, alleging that authorities should examine their sources of funding and their alleged connections with individuals arrested in recent incidents.

He specifically mentioned DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, Linda Mwananchi leader Nixon Sifuna, former Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

Ngetich said investigations should examine what he described as their links to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and any alleged association with people suspected of involvement in violence.

He also called for authorities to establish whether there are financial networks supporting the mobilisation of political groups and whether any such resources are being used to finance violence.

The claims are allegations by Ngetich and have not been independently verified. The politicians named have not, on the basis of the information provided, been established as having funded or organised a militia.

Warning over alleged militia

Ngetich went further to allege that some opposition-linked groups could have access to a militia capable of mobilising violence against civilians and security officers.

He said the possibility should be investigated as a matter of urgency, arguing that the consequences of waiting until such a network becomes fully operational could be severe.

“Our strong conviction for calling for the suspension is that there is a possibility that the opposition owns a militia that is ready to unleash violence against citizens and security officers,” he said.

He urged security agencies to establish whether such groups exist, who finances them, who recruits their members and whether they have structures capable of coordinating violence in different parts of the country.

Youth recruitment

A major concern raised by Ngetich was the alleged recruitment of young people into political groups.

He claimed that some youths were being lured with large amounts of money to join what he described as organised political gangs.

The activist warned that unemployed and economically vulnerable young people could become easy targets for political mobilisation, particularly during periods of heightened political competition.

He appealed to the youth to reject attempts to use them as instruments of political violence.

Ngetich said young people should not allow themselves to be recruited into activities that could ultimately expose them to arrest, injury or death while political leaders remain protected from the consequences.

Dispute over political rallies

The activist also accused sections of the opposition of deliberately creating confrontations at political gatherings before presenting themselves as victims of political violence.

He alleged that some meetings were not intended to remain peaceful, but were instead being used to generate confrontations that could attract public sympathy.

These claims, however, remain unsubstantiated and represent Ngetich's assessment of recent political events.

He urged security agencies to independently investigate incidents of violence rather than relying solely on competing political narratives from the government and opposition.

According to him, the authorities should establish who planned the confrontations, who financed them, who recruited participants and whether the same individuals or networks appear repeatedly at different political events.

“Tutalinda kura zetu” statement

Ngetich also raised concerns over the political slogan “Tutalinda kura zetu”, associated with DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.

He argued that the statement should not simply be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric and called on security agencies to examine whether it is connected to any organised mobilisation.

Ngetich said the government should determine whether there are structures being created to monitor or defend votes outside the established constitutional and electoral mechanisms.

He warned that political messages encouraging supporters to “protect” their votes could be interpreted differently by different groups and, in a highly charged political environment, could contribute to confrontation.

At the same time, the statement itself does not establish the existence of a militia or an organised plan for violence, and any such conclusion would require evidence and investigation.

Warning to the government

Ngetich urged the government not to treat the recent political violence casually.

He called on the Interior Ministry, police leadership and intelligence agencies to assess the situation before the country reaches a point where violence becomes difficult to contain.

He said early intervention would help prevent loss of life, destruction of property and attacks on security officers.

“The Inspector General of Police and the CS for Interior should be urgently informed that the goons arrested in Homa Bay and Nakuru should not simply be treated as ordinary criminals,” he said, calling for investigations into whether they are part of wider networks.

He also urged authorities to investigate alleged cases of incitement and ethnic profiling in political speeches and public statements.

According to Ngetich, such rhetoric could deepen divisions among communities and create conditions for violence as political competition intensifies.

One-month suspension proposal

The activist's main proposal is for the government to suspend political meetings for at least one month.

He said the temporary suspension would give security agencies time to conduct what he described as a “full-scale investigation” into political violence, alleged criminal networks, sources of funding and the recruitment of young people.

He maintained that the proposed suspension should not be viewed as an attempt to permanently restrict political activity, but as a temporary security measure intended to prevent further escalation.

However, any restrictions on political gatherings would have to comply with Kenya's Constitution and applicable laws governing freedom of assembly, political participation and public order.

Ngetich said the government should take preventive action now rather than wait for a major security crisis.

He warned that political violence could quickly move beyond individual rallies and develop into wider unrest if organised groups are allowed to operate unchecked.

Appeal to Kenyan youth

The activist concluded by appealing directly to Kenyan youth to stay away from political violence.

He said young people should not allow themselves to be exploited by politicians who, he claimed, may use them to create confrontations while remaining away from the front line.

Ngetich urged the youth to participate in politics peacefully and to reject financial inducements intended to recruit them into violent groups.

He also called on responsible political leaders to publicly discourage their supporters from engaging in violence and to cooperate with security agencies investigating criminal activity.

The call comes at a time when political temperatures are rising ahead of the 2027 General Election, with political leaders increasingly holding public meetings and mobilising supporters.

While Ngetich's allegations of an organised militia and a coordinated opposition plan to unleash violence have not been independently proven, he is urging the security agencies to investigate the claims before the situation escalates.