Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has condemned the resurgence of political violence, warning that escalating intolerance among rival political camps poses a serious threat to Kenya's democratic future as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.
In a statement released on Sunday, Prof Kindiki called on Kenyans to reject politicians and groups sponsoring violence, saying political competition should never degenerate into lawlessness.
"The primitive culture of political violence poses grave danger to our country's future," Prof Kindiki said.
He urged citizens to expose those financing and organising violent attacks, regardless of their political affiliations or slogans.
"Reject and expose the sponsors and enablers of violence; whether hiding behind notam, tutam, fotam, longtam or whatever other political sloganeering," he said.
The Deputy President's remarks came hours after violent confrontations disrupted political activities in parts of the country, including Nyahururu, where leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement alleged they were attacked by armed youths during a political tour.
The opposition claimed several vehicles were damaged while Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata said his driver sustained injuries during the confrontation. A separate confrontation was also reported in Kisumu, where police dispersed crowds after a group of youths allegedly attempted to disrupt a church service attended by opposition leaders.
Although Prof Kindiki did not refer to any specific incident, his statement came against the backdrop of growing criticism over the government's handling of political violence.
Critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration, including opposition leaders and some civil society groups, have alleged that groups of armed youths—commonly referred to as "goons"—have repeatedly disrupted opposition events while operating with impunity. They contend that the groups are sponsored or protected by individuals linked to the state, pointing to several incidents in which the youths have allegedly been seen operating in the presence of police officers or under apparent police protection without immediate arrests.
The government has consistently denied allegations that it sponsors or shields criminal gangs. It has maintained that the National Police Service operates independently and that anyone involved in violence or destruction of property will be investigated and prosecuted regardless of political affiliation.
Political intolerance has become an increasingly contentious issue in recent months, with rival camps accusing each other of orchestrating attacks, disrupting meetings and using hired groups to intimidate opponents.
Prof Kindiki, who previously served as Interior Cabinet Secretary, said safeguarding peace is a collective responsibility and urged leaders to conduct political activities within the law.
His remarks echoed repeated calls by religious leaders, civil society organisations and governance experts for restraint, warning that politically motivated violence could undermine national cohesion, democratic freedoms and public confidence in the country's institutions.
