Where is the government as political violence rocks the country?

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has accused President William Ruto and his administration of using violence as a political tool, alleging that the President was aware of plans to mobilise goons ahead of a political rally in Homa Bay. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

A trail of destruction has been witnessed in various political rallies, the clearest indication yet that the political heat is on an all-time high, despite the general election being over 300 days away.

Concerns are also emerging over the status of constitutional freedoms as more cases of disrupting political rallies continue to be reported, even as Kenyans continue to condemn political violence, saying it is unacceptable in modern-day Kenya.

For instance, Sunday saw the Linda Mwananchi team maneuver through dusty roads after the main highway was blocked in an attempt to block their rally, the result being media personnel, politicians and residents injured in addition to property worth millions of shillings destroyed.

But it is the deafening silence by some of the individuals or agencies meant to swiftly swing into action and stop political violence that has raised questions and what it means in the journey towards the 2027 elections.

Notable is the silence on the events that have happened in two different political events by the Government and by extension, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Police Service (NPS), particularly the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, among other crucial individuals and agencies.

From the destruction reported in the Linda Mwananchi rally on Sunday to the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s team in Nakuru, these are some of the latest incidents that have been condemned, with the Government being on the receiving end over what has been termed as failing to protect Kenyans with opposing political opinion.

Jubilee Party Deputy Leader, also a former Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i has stated that the Government has chosen violence as a weapon for political survival and engagement.

“What we are dealing with is clear that we have come to a point where serious conversations must happen and choices must be made. This is not rocket science... we are already in a crisis and we have begun our final descent into anarchy,” Matiang’i said.

He recounted the number of times that incidents such as those witnessed in Homa Bay county have happened but no major arrests or prosecutions have been made, saying the country is beyond condemning and calling for action.

“Let us now engage our thoughts on how we are going to deal with this government because what we are seeing is not ordinary business. There are no arrests; political differences are not a good enough excuse to inflict the kind of pain we have seen,” he said in a press conference yesterday.

Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has attributed the silence by the government to responsibility.

“The silence is because the government is responsible for the violence. If they deny that, then the government has failed in its duty to protect Kenyans,” Muturi said.

Political analyst Peter Kagwanja says what is being witnessed in the country might be misinterpreted by many actors, particularly the international community, as insecurity, and insisted that goonism is a project of the Government.

“I’m saying so because I know our system, and we are capable of protecting everybody within our borders. We are capable of protecting our borders from external invasion. The  culture of goonism is a deliberate strategy and some people are called advisors whose main aim is to help Government think through how to use goonism,” he said, in an interview with Spice FM yesterday morning.

“On the road to 2027, from where I sit, I see someone trying to weaponized violence to win and retain power... we should stop it. What has been happening is not coming by coincidence; Kenya is not hurtling down to violence because of systemic things, it is a deliberate strategy to re-introduce instability, violence or ‘goonism’ as a way of retaining power,” he added.

Senior Counsel, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, has also said that goonism is private violence enjoying State patronage or protection.

He said that allowing goonism to flourish in Luo Nyanza is a not a good idea and called for the need to let people organise their activities as they want and the police should do their work.

“The owners of goons in Luo Nyanza shouldn't be allowed to hold powerful positions in the Government's security architecture. Surely, isn’t that transparently obvious! The goonism we saw in Homa Bay can only mean one thing. It is time for a radical change to the political leadership in the internal security ministry. I think the time for PS Dr. Raymond Omollo is up and CS Murkomen needs serious reflection and new strategy as we approach 2027,” he posted on his X account.

Similarly, governance and leadership Peter Mbae said this is a sensitive year for some of the things that are happening, and insisted that the buck stops with the President.

He claimed that there is a parallel security system in the country, which can only be stopped by the people.

“Nothing happens in this country without his consent, especially anything to do with security... the president is involved directly. Even the signal to attack the media; they were not caught on crossfire, it was targeted,” he told Spice FM.

By close of business on Monday, only the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had condemned the political intolerance and acts of violence witnessed in Homa Bay County.

The Commission chairperson, Bishop Dr. Kepha Nyamweya Omae termed it as an unfortunate and worrying trend that is against the Constitution and Sections 13 and 62 of the NCIC Act.

“Such actions raise serious security concerns regarding the protection of constitutional freedoms. NCIC unequivocally condemns all forms of political intolerance, incitement, and excessive use of force. Peaceful democratic engagement depends on the protection of constitutional rights and the rule of law,” he said in a statement.

He said any actions that intimidate, silence, or harm citizens undermine national unity and social stability and urged political leaders, their supporters, and all stakeholders to exercise restraint, reject divisive rhetoric, and uphold the values of tolerance, dialogue, and mutual respect.

Omae insisted that political competition must never be equated with hostility, violence, or ethnic antagonism, noting that, differences in opinion should strengthen not weaken, Kenya's democratic fabric.