Police Begin Mapping Election Violence Hotspots Ahead of Kenya’s 2027 Polls

NAIROBI — The National Police Service (NPS) has begun mapping areas considered vulnerable to election-related violence as Kenya steps up preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli said the exercise will use intelligence-led methods to identify potential hotspots and enable authorities to deploy preventive measures ahead of the elections.

Speaking on Monday at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) National Stakeholders Conference on Peace Ahead of the 2027 Elections, Masengeli said maintaining public safety would remain a priority for the police.

“For us as police, our main aim is to make sure the public is safe,” he said, urging politicians to refrain from using young people as instruments for political interests.

Police Target Political Gangs and Hooliganism

Masengeli said police would increase their focus on areas considered vulnerable to election-related unrest, warning that political gangs and organised groups would be dealt with before they could escalate tensions.

“We are putting more focus on areas prone to election-related violence,” he said.

“Political hooliganism and gangs must be confronted early and decisively, as we cannot allow the disruption of meetings or destruction of property. Our approach will be lawful and intelligence-guided.”

The Deputy Inspector General also condemned the violence reported during a political gathering in Embu County on Saturday involving Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

He urged young people not to accept money or other incentives from politicians to disrupt political events, warning that both perpetrators and those financing violence would face police action.

“Young people should refrain from joining political movements whose final intentions they do not know. We will always go after those who commit these acts and those who fund them,” Masengeli said.

Crackdown Launched After Embu Violence

Police have launched a crackdown aimed at identifying and arresting suspects linked to the violence in Embu.

Two people were reportedly feared dead and several vehicles were allegedly set on fire after hundreds of youths attempted to gain access to a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting.

The meeting had been restricted to invited officials and other designated participants. The restrictions left a large number of youths outside the venue, where a confrontation with police subsequently occurred.

Masengeli questioned the rationale behind destroying property during political disagreements and called for restraint.

“What rationale do you have for burning someone's vehicle, like what happened in Embu? Why can't they burn their own cars?” he asked.

He said Kenya has laws capable of addressing political violence but stressed that effective enforcement would be critical.

“We have to be guided by the rule of law. We need restraint and early action to prevent tensions from escalating. In Kenya, we have good laws; the problem is implementing them,” he said.

Political Parties to Face Accountability

Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou said political parties could be held accountable if politicians associated with them are linked to sponsored violence.

“These politicians are the trouble that we have been witnessing. We do not have the powers to regulate individual officials, but we will hold their political parties accountable for their behavior,” Lorionokou said.

He warned that authorities would pay particular attention to political party primaries and nominations ahead of the 2027 election.

“We will be very strict during political party primaries and nominations. Are they fair, transparent and peaceful? This is important ahead of the main election,” he said.

Warning Over Rising Political Tensions

Lorionokou also called for swift action against political incitement, warning that failing to address inflammatory rhetoric early could have serious consequences.

He said political competition was intensifying as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, with tensions already rising in some areas.

“The pressure and competition are intensifying, with political temperatures rising rapidly,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the direction is dangerous and ruthless, full of tension, fear and loss of lives. Though political competition is valid, it should not come at such costs as we are seeing.”

The latest measures signal an early effort by security and electoral authorities to identify potential sources of unrest before the 2027 polls, amid concerns that political mobilisation, youth involvement and organised violence could heighten tensions as the election approaches.