Police security will be closely watched on Friday as Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua tours Emurua Dikirr in Narok County amid concerns over possible disruptions at his rallies.
Security agencies have come under criticism from opposition leaders, the clergy and MPs following reported violence at political rallies, with calls for action to contain the trend.
Gachagua's convoy was pelted with stones during his August 15 meet-the-people tour of Nakuru County.
Ahead of Friday's visit to Emurua Dikirr, the former Deputy President alleged there was a plot to disrupt his rallies but vowed to make the trip nonetheless.
Gachagua said he had written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja asking him to provide adequate security.
"Kenya has become a country of goons. You can't tell the difference between goons and police. I'm coming to Emurua Dikirr. Your job is to put enough security," Gachagua said during a rally in Murang'a on Thursday.
Members of the clergy have also criticised the police over what they described as an escalating culture of violence, warning against political intolerance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Church and Clergy Association of Kenya (CCAK) called on the police to take full charge of security in the country, warning that the violence witnessed in Homa Bay during the Linda Mwananchi rally could be a pointer to what may happen during the elections.
"What we saw in Homa Bay: roads closed everywhere. Did the police see that? We saw on TV several kilometres of roads closed. That was a show of negligence," CCAK national chairman Bishop Hudson Ndeda said.
Gachagua's Friday tour of Narok County is the first in a series of weekend rallies as he seeks to woo voters to the opposition ahead of the 2027 contest against his former ally and political nemesis, President William Ruto.
On Saturday, Gachagua will take his rallies to Embu County before crossing over to neighbouring Kirinyaga County on Sunday as he seeks to consolidate the Mt Kenya vote.
On Wednesday next week, he will take his campaign caravan to Kikuyu constituency, another of Ruto's perceived strongholds.
Gachagua last held a political rally in Kikuyu on Saturday, April 11, when the meeting descended into chaos after anti-riot police and suspected goons disrupted it.
Youth and suspected goons lit bonfires and blocked parts of the Southern Bypass and roads leading into Kikuyu town, causing heavy traffic and disrupting transport before police cleared the routes.
Speaking on Thursday, area MP Kimani Ichung'wah criticised opposition figures over what he described as the unbecoming goon culture at political rallies.
"And I want to tell our brothers and sisters in the opposition: I want to join them in welcoming the ICC to come and investigate that matter of goonism, because you're planning goonism, then you point fingers at others."
Speaking at his Wamunyoro home ahead of the Narok tour, Gachagua said he had been assured by Emurua Dikirr residents that they would protect him and prevent any form of violence at his rallies.
"Mniweke kwa maombi, lakini hatuogopi, hatutishwi. Wamenipigia wakaniambia tutakulinda. Kwa hivyo kesho nitakuwa Emurua Dikirr," Gachagua said.
