Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo/FILESuba North MP Millie Odhiambo has warned that continued goonism and disruption of public events could fuel a violent election and lead to loss of lives if the trend is not addressed.
Speaking in Parliament, Odhiambo said incidents of violence at political gatherings, funerals, churches and other public events were becoming a national concern that could escalate as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.
“If we are not taking these issues of goonism and disruption in public functions and events, then we are going to face an extremely violent election and we are going to lose many people,” she said.
Odhiambo cited the killing of a young man in Homa Bay during violence that accompanied the Linda Mwananchi movement.
She said he would be buried on Friday, adding that his family was struggling to raise money for the burial.
“He has left behind a wife, a very poor family, they don't even have a house,” Odhiambo said.
She questioned why young people should continue losing their lives in political violence while those responsible escape punishment.
“While we are creating jobs on the other, we shouldn't be allowing others to be killing young people and they are able to get away with it because of impunity,” she said.
Odhiambo also referred to the disruption of the funeral of a woman in her constituency, saying similar incidents were being witnessed in different parts of the country.
She said political disruptions were no longer limited to rallies and were increasingly being witnessed at funerals and churches.
“Whether it's at a rally, whether it's at a funeral, or whatever kind of public function, or even a church, because some of them shamelessly are even going to churches,” she said.
Odhiambo said the trend needed to be stopped before it developed into a wider crisis during the elections.
“And it's happening across the country, Mr Speaker. So unless we arrest that phenomenon, Mr Speaker, we are going to face a crisis during elections in this country,” she said.
She also criticised individuals who, she said, attend public events without a serious agenda or popular support and instead seek to create disruption to give an impression of political strength.
Odhiambo's remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with political leaders increasingly holding public rallies and mobilising supporters across the country.
Her warning followed calls in Parliament for action against disruptions at public functions and growing concerns over political violence as the country approaches the next election.
