Murkomen, IG Kanja Sued Over Political Violence Ahead of 2027 Elections

Human rights organisations and three individuals have sued senior security officials over alleged failure to prevent escalating political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The petition was filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Katiba Institute and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), alongside Kwamchetsi Makokha, Mary Kambo and Elphas Osoro, who are also victims of political violence.

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In a joint statement on Wednesday, October 28, KHRC, Katiba Institute and IMLU said they are seeking court intervention to compel security agencies to investigate attacks targeting political, civic and religious gatherings, identify those responsible and prosecute the alleged organisers, recruiters and financiers.

"The lawsuit names the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service, the Inspector General of Police and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration as respondents," the statement read.

The legal action targets Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service Noordin Haji over what the petitioners describe as persistent failures to address organised violence.

The Attorney-General is also named as a respondent, while the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) have been listed as interested parties.

The petitioners accused the security officials of allowing attacks on public gatherings to continue despite repeated warnings from senior government leaders, arguing that the failure to intervene and pursue prosecutions had emboldened perpetrators.

"They accuse the officials of allowing violence targeting political, civic and religious gatherings to continue despite repeated warnings from senior government leaders. The petitioners say authorities have failed to intervene promptly, investigate cases effectively or secure prosecutions, enabling attackers to operate with impunity. 

"The petition warns that the unchecked violence threatens Kenyans’ constitutional rights and undermines prospects for a free, fair and peaceful 2027 General Election," the statement added.

The case outlines a series of incidents reported since early 2025 involving armed groups commonly described as goons, who allegedly disrupted press conferences, civic forums, religious services and political gatherings in different parts of the country.

The locations cited include Nairobi, Gilgil, Kitengela, Kisumu, Meru, Ol Kalou, Kisii and Homa Bay, among other areas.

One of the incidents highlighted in the petition is the July 6, 2025, attack on KHRC's offices in Nairobi, where armed assailants disrupted a media briefing attended by mothers of victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

During the incident, journalists and members of the public were reportedly assaulted or intimidated, while electronic equipment was stolen. 

The petitioners said that despite the availability of security footage and the filing of 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, 2026, during which people were killed, vehicles were torched and journalists were attacked.

"Petitioners argue these incidents are evidence of deliberate, financed and recurring violence. They cite investigative reports documenting payments to recruit youths for political disruption, and say authorities have failed to pursue the organizers, recruiters and financiers behind the violence," the statement further read.

The petitioners are asking the High Court to declare that organised violence, alongside the state's alleged failure to prevent, investigate and prosecute those responsible, violates constitutional rights.

They want the court to compel police and intelligence agencies to investigate the attacks, trace the financial and recruitment networks behind them, preserve relevant evidence and submit their findings to the court.

The petition also seeks the establishment of a dedicated multi-agency task force to address politically motivated violence and the development of a coordinated national framework for preventing attacks and ensuring accountability.

Under the proposed measures, the petitioners want authorities to provide regular updates to the court on investigations and prosecutions, allowing judicial oversight of progress made in addressing the reported incidents.

They are further seeking court orders requiring adequate police protection for lawful public gatherings, including political meetings, religious services, funerals, civic forums and press conferences.

Meanwhile, the National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed a document circulating online concerning allegations that Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya was abducted in Kenya.

The service flagged the document as fake in a social media post on Tuesday, October 27, as claims surrounding Mwaipaya’s alleged abduction continued to circulate online.

The document purported to be an official press statement from the Office of the Inspector General of Police referenced a reported connection between Mwaipaya and the residence of Hilda Newton.

The circulating document discussed the need to establish the activist’s whereabouts, movements and the circumstances that led to the abduction claims.