Senators have demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and security chiefs explain what they are doing to stop a rise in political violence before the August 2027 General Election, The Star reported on Saturday.

The lawmakers want action against politicians accused of inciting violence, financing goons or making statements that undermine confidence in the electoral process, and want the IEBC empowered to bar leaders found guilty of electoral violence from contesting.

Gataya seeks probe into poll readiness

The concerns were raised by Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya, who, in a statement first sought in September under the Senate's Standing Orders, asked the House's National Cohesion Committee to investigate the country's preparedness for peaceful elections. He wants details of mechanisms for detecting threats, prosecuting violence and hate speech, and promoting peace. "I seek to know measures being undertaken to safeguard national cohesion, peace and security," Gataya said.

Garissa and Homa Bay incidents

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said the country already had enough laws to deal with political violence but lacked the political will to enforce them. "Any politician supporting this should be barred from participating in the elections," he said, citing an attack on Wiper supporters of Kalonzo Musyoka in Garissa and stones placed on roads in Homa Bay during a Linda Mwananchi tour.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who leads Linda Mwananchi, accused the NCIC of failing to act against leaders allegedly inciting violence, and linked the lack of accountability for deadly violence in Homa Bay to the later attack in Garissa. "It is that impunity that breeds further impunity that we saw in Garissa," he said.

Sifuna also criticised remarks suggesting votes could be added to secure President William Ruto's re-election and claims that dead people would vote, and faulted UDA's leadership for not condemning its secretary general. "We want the pronouncement by the secretary general to be condemned in the strongest words possible," he said. UDA secretary general Hassan Omar recently appeared before an IEBC panel over 'dead voters' remarks, which he said had been figurative.

Cherargei disputes rally account

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei backed disqualifying politicians involved in electoral violence but said any crackdown should also cover corruption and the financing of goons. He disputed Sifuna's account of the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay, claiming three people died and several others were injured, and urged police to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu warned that divisive rhetoric by senior government officials threatened national unity. "If we do not live in cohesion, then we may not have any country to bequeath to our children," he said.

Doubts over voter registration

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi raised concerns over the ongoing mass voter registration, alleging that some areas were receiving preferential attention while opposition strongholds were neglected. "When we see such things occurring, we begin to have doubts about the 2027 elections," he said. He also accused politicians of bribing voters at weekend empowerment events and challenged the IEBC to explain its response.

IEBC has warned of sanctions

The IEBC has previously said it can sanction candidates involved in violence, with penalties ranging from warnings and fines to restrictions on campaigning and, in serious cases, recommending disqualification. Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has said the commission will not allow those who break the law through hate speech or violence to contest, Citizen Digital reported.

The commission, the NCIC and the security agencies had not publicly responded to the senators' latest demands by the time of publication.

Photos: Jorge Láscar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0), Citizen Digital