Senators now want the electoral agency, cohesion commission and security chiefs to explain measures being taken to prevent political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The lawmakers are demanding actions against politicians accused of inciting violence, financing goons and making statements that undermine confidence in the electoral process.
They also want the electoral commission empowered to bar leaders found guilty of electoral violence from contesting in the next elections.
The demands followed concerns raised by Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya.
Gataya wants the Senate’s National Cohesion Committee to investigate the country's preparedness for peaceful elections.
“I seek to know measures being undertaken to safeguard national cohesion, peace and security before, during and after general elections in August 2027,” Gataya said.
He asked the committee to outline mechanisms for detecting threats to national cohesion, prosecuting perpetrators of violence and hate speech, and promoting peace.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said the county has sufficient laws to address political violence but lacks the political goodwill to enforce them.
He called for amendments to the law to strengthen enforcement and empower the IEBC to disqualify politicians proven to have instigated violence.
“Any politician supporting this should be barred from participating in the elections. I believe we will have a peaceful election,” he said.
Maanzo condemned the recent attack on Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka's supporters in Garissa.
He also cited incidents in Homa Bay, where stones and rocks were reportedly placed on roads, when the Linda Mwananchi team campaigned there.
He warned that such acts could escalate if left unchecked.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna accused the NCIC of failing to act against leaders allegedly involved in incitement.
He cited violence in Homa Bay, where people were killed, others injured and property destroyed, arguing that the failure to hold perpetrators accountable had emboldened further attacks.
“It is that impunity that breeds further impunity that we saw in Garissa,” Sifuna said.
He also raised concerns over remarks by some senior political leaders that he said undermined public confidence in elections.
Sifuna cited statements suggesting that votes could be added to secure President William Ruto’s victory and claims that even dead people would vote.
He faulted the UDA leadership for failing to strongly condemn remarks attributed to its secretary general.
“We want the pronouncement by the secretary general to be condemned in the strongest words possible,” Sifuna said.
Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu warned that divisive rhetoric by senior government officials threatened national unity.
“We have no other country other than Kenya. If we do not live in cohesion, then we may not have any country to bequeath to our children,” he said.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei backed calls to disqualify politicians involved in electoral violence but said the crackdown should also cover corruption and the financing of goons.
He also challenged Sifuna over the Linda Mwananchi rally, claiming three people had died and several others were injured. Cherargei urged police to investigate the deaths and prosecute those responsible.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi raised further concerns over the conduct of mass voter registration, alleging that some areas were receiving preferential attention while others perceived as opposition strongholds were being neglected.
“When we see such things occurring, we begin to have doubts about the 2027 elections,” he said.
Osotsi also accused politicians of using weekend empowerment events to bribe voters and challenged the IEBC to explain what action it was taking.
