NCIC chairperson Kepha Nyamweya during a past event. /COURTESY
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has moved to crack the whip against political actors over the chaos witnessed in Homa Bay during the inaugural Linda Mwananchi rallies in the county on Sunday.
NCIC chairman Kepha Omae said the commission had begun the process of summoning and holding responsible politicians to account following the violence and disruption witnessed during the rallies.
Omae condemned the political intolerance and acts of violence, saying the incidents were contrary to the constitution and the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
“This is an unfortunate and worrying trend that is against the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and Section 13 and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act,” Omae said in a statement issued on Sunday.
He said the incidents raised serious security concerns over the protection of constitutional freedoms, including the right to participate in political activities.
The Linda Mwananchi team, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, faced resistance as it toured several parts of Homa Bay county, an ODM stronghold in Nyanza.
The rallies were disrupted by barricades mounted along roads leading to some of the scheduled venues, with stones used to block access.
A vehicle was torched during the unrest, while several people, including journalists, were injured.
Hotels perceived to have hosted members of the Linda Mwananchi team were also vandalised, while suspected hired goons pelted Sifuna's entourage with stones.
The disruptions forced the team to use alternative unpaved routes to reach some venues.
The team eventually arrived in Homa Bay town late in the evening after running battles involving rival political camps and tear gas.
The incidents have triggered condemnation from political leaders and other stakeholders, with concerns growing over the escalation of political intolerance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Omae said every Kenyan has the right to hold political activities in any part of the country as long as they comply with the law.
He, however, cautioned political actors and their supporters against abusing those freedoms through incitement, hate speech, violence or disorder.
Omae called on political leaders, their supporters and young people to exercise restraint and avoid being used to perpetrate political violence.
He said the increasing political intolerance, accompanied by negative political rhetoric, must end.
NCIC also condemned violence, disruption and incitement that endanger lives, destroy property and undermine peaceful democratic participation.
The commission cited Article 37 of the constitution, which guarantees every person the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions peacefully and unarmed.
Omae said the exercise of those rights must go hand in hand with respect for peace, security and the rule of law.
He urged political leaders and their supporters to embrace dialogue and mutual respect, warning that political competition should not be equated with hostility, violence or ethnic antagonism.
“Differences in opinion should strengthen not weaken Kenya's democratic fabric,” he said.
The NCIC chairman also condemned what he described as all forms of political intolerance, incitement and excessive use of force.
He said any action intended to intimidate, silence or harm citizens undermined national unity and social stability.
The commission's move to summon political actors comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections, with rival camps increasingly holding rallies and seeking to consolidate support across the country.
NCIC said it would continue to hold political actors to account and urged all stakeholders to ensure political competition does not degenerate into violence or undermine Kenyans' constitutional rights.
