The Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has announced that the National Police Service (NPS) will recommend individuals unfit to run for public office ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Tuesday, August 25, during the launch of the Roadmap to a Peaceful General Election 2027, Masengeli said the recommendations would be based on individuals’ records of promoting or perpetuating violence.
“We will recommend to the IEBC those individuals that are not fit to run for office based on their record of promoting or perpetuating violence in Kenya,” Masengeli said.
The Deputy Inspector General also said the service will deal firmly with goons together with their sponsors.
“We will deal with goons firmly and their sponsors,” DIG Masengeli stated.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, on his part, said the commission could disqualify politicians linked to incidents of violence from contesting in the 2027 General Election.
“We will take appropriate action including fining them and if it is really tough we will even disqualify some of them from contesting because why would you clear a leader show is undermining the peace of the country,” Ethekon stated.
This comes a week after violence was witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi Rally in Homa Bay County.
In a statement on Monday, August 17, NPS said 37 suspects were apprehended in connection with the violence.
According to NPS, journalists were attacked during the rally, police and civilian vehicles were destroyed, and a police officer died.
“A total of 37 suspected gang members have been arrested and were found in possession of various crude weapons, including machetes, ropes, metal rods, knives, rungus, batons and torches. The suspects will be processed accordingly and must face the full force of the law,” NPS stated.
Further, the service warned criminal gangs and individuals involved in recruiting, financing, mobilizing or arming criminal elements against using political activities as a platform for violence, intimidation, attacks on police officers or destruction of property.
“Those who recruit, finance, mobilise, arm or otherwise facilitate criminal elements to cause violence and disorder will be pursued and brought to justice. The NPS will deploy all lawful means at its disposal to identify and apprehend those responsible and ensure that they face the full consequences of their actions,” NPS added.