As Kenyans take to the polls today, November 27, VOCAL Africa has been closely monitoring the pre-election environment across the various constituencies and wards set to vote.
What should be a routine democratic exercise is increasingly revealing troubling patterns that threaten not only the credibility of these polls but also the integrity of our broader democratic ecosystem.
Our election observation teams, deployed in multiple regions, have documented a deeply concerning trend consisting of rising violence, misuse of state resources and blatant involvement of senior state officials in partisan campaigns.
Kenya cannot continue down this path without risking the erosion of public trust in elections.
The warning signs are loud, clear and cannot be ignored.
The most immediate and dangerous threat to the by-elections is the escalating violence in several contest areas.
Violence has become an increasingly common tool of political competition, deployed to intimidate voters, disrupt opponents’ campaigns and create fear ahead of election day.
Two areas stand out for the frequency and severity of these incidents.
These are Kasipul Kabondo and Mbeere North.
VOCAL Africa is also deeply concerned about the misuse of state resources in support of certain candidates.
This includes the use of government vehicles, public funds, administrative structures and state logistical support for partisan activities.
Such actions distort the fairness of the electoral playing field and give undue advantage to those aligned with state power.
We have observed chiefs, assistant chiefs and other administrators being drawn into campaign mobilisation, sometimes under direct pressure from their superiors.
County government facilities and vehicles have also been spotted at campaign events, contrary to the law.
The Elections Act, the Public Officers Ethics Act and the IEBC Code of Conduct are unequivocal: public resources belong to the public and not to political campaigns.
Even more alarming is the active involvement of senior state officers, including Cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, the speaker of the National Assembly, the speaker of the Senate and other high-ranking officials.
These officers have been seen on campaign stages, addressing rallies, endorsing candidates and instructing administrators to mobilise support.
This is not only unethical but also a gross violation of the constitution and IEBC rules.
Public officers are required to remain neutral during elections.
When they openly take sides, they exert undue influence on the electorate, compromise institutional neutrality and distort democratic competition.
Such malpractice is grounds for challenging election results in court, and if the patterns observed continue, legal challenges will be inevitable.
Kenya has fought hard to build independent institutions.
Allowing state officers to act as political agents reverses those gains and entrenches impunity.
To safeguard the integrity of elections, particularly the 2027 general election, urgent action is required from oversight bodies, security agencies and independent institutions.
To the National Police Service: Enhance security deployment in Kasipul Kabondo and Mbeere North.
These areas have recorded repeated violent incidents, and police presence must be increased to deter further attacks, protect voters and secure campaign activities.
The police should also ensure swift and impartial response to all incidents of violence.
Attacks must not be ignored or treated lightly. Arrests and prosecutions are necessary to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated.
To the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission: Consider disqualifying candidates who violate electoral rules.
The IEBC must not shy away from using the full weight of its mandate.
Repeat offenders—those who engage in violence, bribery or misuse of state resources—should face immediate sanctions, including disqualification.
The commission should also publicly censure public officers engaging in political campaigns.
The IEBC must assert its authority and penalise senior state officers who violate the Code of Conduct.
To the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission: Investigate all public officers involved in partisan campaigns.
The EACC must immediately open inquiries into Cabinet secretaries, speakers, PSs and other officers who have been campaigning.
The EACC should also declare public officers engaging in partisan politics unfit to continue holding office.
Those who misuse their positions for political gain violate constitutional ethics and should not remain in public service.
The November 27, 2025, by-elections are a critical moment for Kenya.
They offer an opportunity to reaffirm democratic principles, strengthen public confidence and demonstrate that elections can be conducted fairly.
But the warning signs we have observed – violence, misuse of state resources and partisan involvement of senior officers – cannot be ignored.
As Kenyans, we must call on all institutions to act decisively in defence of democracy.
The people of Kenya deserve elections that are peaceful, free and credible.
Anything less is an affront to our constitution and to the sacrifices made over decades to expand civic freedoms.
If we fail to protect the integrity of these by-elections, we risk normalising impunity ahead of the 2027 polls.
Kenya stands at a crossroads.
This is the moment to choose accountability, justice and democratic integrity over political expediency.
The writer is the CEO, VOCAL Africa
