Violence and force: How state is lionising opposition figures

Incidents of violence and attempts to block key opposition figures, during the by-elections campaigns may have inadvertently strengthened their political profile.

The heavy-handed deployment of police and alleged use of state-backed goons risks popularising the very leaders the state seeks to suppress as the 2027 general election beckons, political commentators say.

The force used against DCP’s Rigathi Gachagua and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya during campaigns ended up popularising the targeted leaders and handing them the sympathy support.

As the campaigns came to an end, police mounted roadblocks in all roads entering Narok in a bid to stop Gachagua from entering the town.   

The DCP leader, however, managed to sneak into Narok Town, where he campaigned while wearing a helmet for fear of violence. His DCP candidate Douglas Masikonde finally won against Robert Kanyinke ole Kudate of UDA, who got 4,479 votes.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s campaign rally in Chwele, Kabuchai, was also disrupted by thugs and an incident of shooting.

The state later withdrew his security after accusing him of ‘stage managing’ the attack.

Eric Wekesa (Independent) who had the backing of Natembeya won in the ward that is the home village of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.  

In Nyamira, South Mugirango MP and Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro was accused of attempting to access several polling stations in three wards of Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya and Ekerenyo while in the company of armed youths.

This seems to have backfired as the three wards elected candidates allied to the Opposition, particularly Fred Matiang’I of Jubilee. Jackson Mogusu of PDP took Nyansiongo, Jeremiah Ongaro of UPA in Ekerenyo and Chris Osiemo of UPA in Nyamaiya.

Incidents of violence were also heavily witnessed in Mbeere North and Malava constituencies, where the Gachagua-backed candidates Newton Karish and Seth Panyako lost to UDA’s Leo Wa Muthende and David Ndakwa respectively.

The manoeuvres appear to be making Gachagua a political monster as he dominates public discourse on all his moves.

Perhaps DP Kindiki Kithure’s reference to him as ‘Goliath’ or a bully points to how the impeached DP is viewed in political circles  even as leaders caution the events have a direct implication on 2027.

Siaya Governor James Orengo was among leaders who are calling out the unnecessary use of force and violence to achieve political goals.

The outspoken Siaya county boss scoffed at president William Ruto’s dream of transforming Kenya into a first world country when elections are not free and fair.

“We can’t be First World if, years after Constitution 2010, we can’t hold peaceful and fair elections. The militarisation and ‘goonficaton’ of election is an evil worse than Mlolongo. The East African neighbourhood (or has been extremely intolerant and despotic,” Orengo said.

Just a day before the by-election, the United Opposition claimed attempts to compromise elections or suppress voting.

The leaders have declared that the events witnessed during the by-elections have only served to embolden their cause.

“The desperation of this regime is obvious to all. They are hanging by a thread. The writing is on the wall; the die is cast. No amount of public money, no deployment of police, bullets or teargas, and no intimidation of opposition leaders and supporters will succeed in silencing the will o the people,” Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who was in the company of Gachagua, said.

And on Thursday, Gachagua did not mince his words as he warned on what lay ahead of 2027.

“Use of goons and heavily armed police in civilian clothes to overturn the will of the people sets the stage for serious acrimony ahead of the 2027 General Elections as witnessed in Mbeere North and Malava,” he said.

Nairobi Senator and ODM secretary Edwin Sifuna and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo have also raised concerns over the violence witnessed and failure by state agencies to apprehend the culprits.

“Today has to be one of the bloodiest election days in recent history. All the violence being witnessed across the Country from Kabuchai to Malava to Kasipul point either to incompetence in the security command or their outright involvement in planning and executing it,” Sifuna said.

Mabona said the violence was unacceptable and threatened the credibility of the vote.

Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni also raised his concerns, saying he cannot understand how the goons were allowed to move around freely.

“How is it in a civilised democracy like Kenya, that the police can allow any leader to move around with groups of people allegedly armed with offensive weapons and causing disruptions without immediate action? Appropriate steps should have been taken by yesterday,” he said.

Former Chief Justice and presidential hopeful David Maraga termed the incidents “unacceptable” and reflective of a troubling pattern.

“The electoral violence witnessed today [Thursday] and indeed in the past few weeks, is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Maraga said.

Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni also questioned the conduct of the by-elections, cautioning that they could serve as a precursor to the 2027 General Election.

“Today’s by-elections are a clear rehearsal for what lies ahead. Someone must be held accountable,” he said.