LSK President Charles Kanjama and ICJ's Christine Alai/FILEKenya’s leading legal organisations have raised concern over what they describe as escalating political violence, hate speech and intimidation ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that growing impunity could undermine the country’s constitutional democracy.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), East Africa Law Society (EALS), Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya (Fida Kenya) and the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) said political “goonism” and violence were increasingly becoming tools of political contestation.
In a joint statement issued Friday at the LSK Annual Conference 2026, the four organisations said the situation demanded urgent and decisive action by State agencies responsible for protecting citizens and safeguarding the electoral process.
“We remain gravely concerned by the entrenchment of political ‘goonism’, the proliferation of hate speech, and a rising pattern of politically motivated violence,” the organisations said.
The organisations referred to several recent incidents which, they said, pointed to a worrying trend, including the violent disruption of a civic forum at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on June 12, the reported attempted attack on St Stephen’s Cathedral in Kisumu on July 12 and the fatal violence in Keumbu on July 3, which left one person dead.
They also referred to reports of voter intimidation and violence during the July 16 Ol Kalou by-election, as well as reported threats of violence ahead of political rallies in Homa Bay.
The organisations called on all constitutionally mandated State agencies to act proactively to protect citizens and prevent further violence and violations.
They expressed concern that perpetrators of political violence and hate speech were often not held accountable, creating what they termed a disturbing pattern of impunity.
According to the lawyers, cases involving hate speech are sometimes selectively referred for prosecution and subsequently stall, while organisers and financiers of criminal gangs remain protected despite the existence of security agencies mandated to gather intelligence, investigate and prosecute offenders.
They also raised concern over inadequate mechanisms for handling sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), particularly survivor-centred reporting and investigations.
The legal organisations further said concerns persisted over reports of police officers being involved in attacks against civilians.
They warned that failure to address the issues could normalise violence and intimidation ahead of the 2027 polls.
The lawyers challenged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the National Police Service and the National Intelligence Service to go beyond prosecuting individuals directly involved in violence.
They urged the agencies to investigate and prosecute those who organise, finance, recruit, facilitate or benefit from political violence and SGBV, irrespective of their political status or connections.
The organisations also called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to ensure policing is lawful, proportionate, intelligence-led and focused on protecting citizens.
They said security agencies must protect peaceful assemblies, political activity and civic engagement while building trust with communities and respecting fundamental rights.
The lawyers reminded the National Cohesion and Integration Commission of its responsibility to combat hate speech and ethnic incitement, particularly by political leaders.
They urged the commission to act before inflammatory political rhetoric further damages national cohesion, peace and security.
The legal profession said it would monitor the electoral process, document violations, provide legal aid and support victims and survivors while pursuing accountability through available legal avenues.
The organisations also reminded Kenyans that the Constitution protects freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and participation in political and public affairs.
They warned, however, that attempts to undermine those rights through violence, intimidation or hate speech must be met with the full force of the law.
“The situation is dire and demands urgent, concerted, and decisive action from all duty bearers,” they said, pledging to support efforts towards a peaceful, free, just and fair 2027 electoral process.
