Stay Away From Meetings of Politicians You Don’t Support - PS Omollo to Kenyans

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has urged Kenyans to avoid attending political meetings of leaders they do not support.

Speaking on Sunday, September 13, Omollo said Kenyans should exercise restraint and avoid confrontations at political gatherings, warning against the use of violence in political activities.

"As we head towards the election campaign season, if you do not support a particular politician, simply stay away from their meeting," he said.

Omollo said political differences should not result in loss of life, urging Kenyans to reject violence as a means of advancing political interests.

"No Kenyan should lose their life because of politics and we must reject any actor using violence to transact their politics," he added.

Elsewhere, this comes days after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) warned politicians against conducting early campaigns ahead of the August 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 9, IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Abdallah reminded politicians that the Commission set the campaign period to run from May 29, 2027, to August 7, 2027.

Abdallah stated that the Commission would invoke the Electoral Code of Conduct to punish politicians who infringe the set guidelines.

"The Commission will enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct, imposing sanctions including fines, restrictions from public media, prohibition from public meetings and restrictions from specified areas,” she stated.

The Vice Chairperson also warned politicians against the use of goons or armed gangs during campaigns that they risk being sanctioned by IEBC.

"The Commission has demonstrated resolve by sanctioning candidates with significant fines and warning that further breaches will attract disqualification or result cancellation. We will take decisive action against any actor, regardless of political standing," she said.

Abdallah noted that the campaign period is the most volatile in the election cycle. However, she assured Kenyans that the elections will happen in a peaceful environment.

She intimated that IEBC plans to train 200,000 police officers and its staff on election rules and public order management, strengthened regulations, enhanced coherence of investigations and prosecutions, and integrated early warning and response schemes.

On his part, Commissioner Hassan Noor confirmed that the Commission was reviewing election security progress, identifying gaps and strengthening its approach ahead of the 2027 polls.

"Recent by-elections taught us that political competition can rapidly escalate into violence. We must conduct thorough risk assessments and deploy proactive security measures. 

"The Commission will not tolerate violence, intimidation or interference. Let us work together to ensure the 2027 elections are free, fair, peaceful and credible," Hassan said.