Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service have been sued over alleged failure to stop organised political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement on October 28, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) said it had filed a petition alongside Katiba Institute, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit and three individuals described as victims of political violence.
The petition accuses the security chiefs of failing to prevent attacks on political, civic and religious gatherings and to identify and prosecute those allegedly organising, recruiting and financing the violence.
“Human rights groups and three individuals have sued Kenya’s top security officials, accusing them of failing to stop a surge in organized political violence ahead of the 2027 elections, and of neglecting to identify and prosecute the organizers, recruiters and financiers behind the attacks,” stated KHRC.
The petition also names the Attorney-General as a respondent and lists the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights as interested parties.
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KHRC Says Petition Cites Attacks Across the Country
According to KHRC, the petition documents attacks reported since 2025 in Nairobi, Gilgil, Kitengela, Kisumu, Meru, Ol Kalou, Kisii, Homa Bay and other areas.
The statement says armed groups, commonly referred to as goons, have disrupted press conferences, civic forums, religious services and political gatherings.
The petition also cites the July 6, 2025 attack on KHRC’s Nairobi offices, where armed attackers disrupted a media briefing by mothers seeking justice for victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
KHRC said journalists and members of the public were assaulted or intimidated during the incident, while electronic equipment was stolen. The organisation added that despite security footage and a formal police complaint, no one had been arrested or prosecuted over the attack.
The petition also cites the June 12, 2026, attack on a public forum at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi and violence reported in Homa Bay on August 16, during which people were killed, vehicles torched and journalists attacked.
“Despite security footage and a formal police complaint, the petitioners say no one has been arrested or prosecuted,” said KHRC.
Rights Groups Allege Failure to Pursue Organisers
KHRC said the petitioners consider the incidents evidence of recurring and financed political violence. They cite investigative reports that allegedly document payments to recruit young people to disrupt political activities.
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The petitioners accuse authorities of failing to pursue those behind the attacks, including the alleged organisers, recruiters and financiers.
They also raise concerns over what they describe as unequal protection for public gatherings, arguing that events involving opposition leaders, civil society organisations and human rights defenders have repeatedly faced attacks.
According to the statement, the petitioners contend that responses to violence at events associated with the governing party have sometimes been quicker.
The petition argues that the alleged failures threaten constitutional rights and could undermine preparations for the 2027 General Election.
Court Asked to Order Investigations
The petitioners want the High Court to declare that organised political violence, and the state’s alleged failure to prevent, investigate and prosecute those responsible, violates constitutional rights.
Petitioners cite Article 38 of the Constitution, which guarantees political rights. They argue that fear and intimidation prevent Kenyans from freely expressing their political views, choosing their leaders and taking part in public affairs.
They want the court to order police and intelligence agencies to investigate the attacks, identify those funding and recruiting attackers, preserve evidence and report their findings to the court.
The petitioners are also asking the court to establish a multi-agency team to tackle political violence and create a national plan to prevent attacks and hold those responsible accountable.
They also seek regular, court-supervised updates on investigations and prosecutions.
Other orders sought would require authorities to provide adequate police protection for lawful public gatherings, including political meetings, religious services, funerals, civic forums and press conferences.
The petitioners argue that addressing political violence is necessary to protect citizens’ constitutional rights and safeguard the prospect of a free, fair and peaceful 2027 General Election.
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