Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised concerns over what he described as a possible plan to use criminal groups to cause unrest ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua claimed that some officials could be involved in efforts to create disorder, which he said could provide grounds for delaying the elections.
He questioned why groups accused of causing disturbances continued to operate despite assurances from the government that the issue had been addressed.
“The President has said five times that there are no goons in the country, yet they continue to cause terror,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua spoke on Tuesday when he met Wiper Patriotic Front Delegation at his Wamunyoro home.
His remarks came amid separate calls by government officials for political leaders and young people to reject violence, intimidation and the use of criminal groups during political activities.
Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo said the government would not allow criminality and violence to become part of the country's political environment.
He urged young people to reject attempts by politicians to use them to intimidate opponents or disrupt public gatherings.
“If you do not support a particular leader, wait for the elections and exercise your democratic right. Violence, intimidation and criminal gangs have no place in our politics,” Omollo said.
Speaking during an interdenominational prayer service and Harambee fundraiser supporting 331 church choirs in Nyamira County, Omollo commended residents for maintaining peace and rejecting organised criminal groups.
He said Nyamira should serve as an example of how leaders and citizens can engage freely, express divergent views and return home peacefully.
Omollo directed the County Commissioner, National Government Administrative Officers and security agencies to work closely with local leaders and residents to safeguard peace, prevent political violence and ensure public engagements are conducted without intimidation or disruption.
Speaking on August 15 in Kajiado, Omollo separately urged young people to put national identity above ethnic, religious and regional affiliations.
Gachagua's remarks followed violent disruptions at political and civic meetings in different parts of Kenya in recent months, which have renewed concerns over the use of organised groups to interfere with public gatherings and political activities.
The latest incident was reported in Homa Bay County on August 16, when the Linda Mwananchi movement's convoy came under attack as opposition-leaning leaders toured the county.
The movement said its convoy encountered roadblocks and groups of people along several routes, accusing the attackers of trying to prevent its leaders and supporters from accessing parts of Homa Bay.
The incident has since triggered demands for investigations into those behind the violence.
The Homa Bay incident followed an earlier disruption of a public participation forum at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on June 12.
The forum, organised by civil society groups to discuss the 2026/27 national budget, was stormed by suspected goons, forcing participants to flee as police intervened.
CCTV footage later showed groups of men arriving on motorcycles and entering the cathedral compound before making their way towards the venue where the meeting was taking place. Participants were reportedly harassed and some valuables, including phones, were stolen.
The incident drew condemnation from religious leaders, lawyers and human rights groups, who warned that violence at a public participation forum threatens constitutional freedoms and democratic engagement.
