The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has documented 284 incidents of election-related violence and human rights violations across the country in the first seven months of 2026. It warns that 150 of them could recur or escalate as the August 2027 General Election approaches.

The report, released in Nairobi this week, covers January 1 to July 31. It says the incidents affected 3,222 people and included physical assaults, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, the breaking up of protests, attacks on journalists and interference with political activities.

Nairobi leads, central Kenya rising

The commission broke down 242 of the incidents by county. Nairobi had 106 of them, or 43.8 per cent. Nyandarua followed with 19, Kajiado had 11, and Kiambu and Nyeri had 10 each.

KHRC said the map of election violence may be changing, with more central Kenya counties now appearing in its monitoring. It pointed to the July Ol Kalou by-election, where it says it recorded physical violence aimed at keeping voters away, as well as alleged vote buying.

By category, the commission recorded:

  • 82 incidents of physical violence and assault
  • 39 cases of suppression of peaceful assembly and protest
  • 35 cases of electoral interference and intimidation
  • 32 cases of arbitrary detention, abduction or disappearance
  • 31 cases touching on media freedom

Questions over police units

The report links the National Police Service and specialised units to 162 incidents, including killings, assaults, arrests and the use of lethal crowd-control weapons. It also suggests that some units may be operating outside the formal command structure.

"Most of the incidents involved people who are said to be police officers. The National Police Service (NPS), however, said they are not involved, leaving questions as to who these police units are," said KHRC senior communications manager Ernest Cornel.

The report also attributes dozens of incidents to hired goons, party officials, youth groups linked to parties and political gangs. It warns that such groups could be used to disrupt rallies and intimidate voters.

Police push back

Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli defended the police and dared the commission to produce evidence. "We have tracked and acted upon 162 cases pointed out by my colleague from the KHRC, but the rest are just illusions. If you have the facts, bring us the evidence, and we'll act," he said. He added that any officer found to have committed a crime would face the law.

IEBC Deputy CEO Obadiah Keitany said election preparations must include steps to protect voters and candidates. "A credible election should be free of violence," he said.

The report comes as police chiefs promise that the 2027 polls will be secure, and as senators and civil society groups press security agencies over rising political violence.

Photo: The Star (KHRC report launch). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.