A fresh wave of electoral violence, including killings in Kasipul Constituency, is a direct assault on the constitutional rights of Kenyans, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has warned. The violence erupting during this week's by-elections casts a dark shadow over the nation's democratic process.

This is not merely a political squabble; it is a crisis that threatens the core of Kenyan democracy and the safety of its citizens. With recent clashes leaving two people dead, the KNCHR noted that these incidents severely undermine public trust and social cohesion, posing a direct threat to the rights to life, security, and political participation.

The violence comes as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) assures the nation of its preparedness for the polls taking place in 24 electoral areas. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon urged polling officials to be firm and allow Kenyans to elect leaders peacefully, a sentiment starkly contrasted by the violence on the ground.

The High Cost of Contested Polls

For many Kenyans, the spectre of electoral violence is a painful reminder of past traumas. The 2007-2008 post-election violence resulted in over 1,100 deaths and displaced more than 600,000 people, leaving deep economic and social scars. Studies have shown that such instability halts commercial transport, closes markets, and can shave points off GDP growth, directly impacting the wallets of ordinary citizens.

In a statement, the KNCHR condemned the recent “political violence, intimidation, destruction of property and excessive use of force.” The commission highlighted several areas of concern from the current by-election campaigns:

• Deadly clashes between rival political groups in Kasipul Constituency.
• Violent interruptions of campaign rallies and events.
• Allegations of excessive force used by police officers.
• The presence of non-uniformed police in Mbeere North, which contravenes a High Court ruling.

These acts, the commission emphasized, are not just criminal but are a violation of fundamental constitutional rights. Rights groups like Human Rights Watch have previously warned that a failure to ensure police accountability for past abuses heightens the risk of violence in subsequent elections.

A Call for Accountability

Analysts point to a range of causes for recurring electoral violence, including the winner-take-all political system, incitement by politicians, and perceived bias in electoral institutions. To break this cycle, the KNCHR is demanding immediate and transparent investigations into all reported incidents to hold those responsible accountable.

The commission has deployed its own monitors to observe and document human rights compliance throughout the electoral process. While the IEBC focuses on operational readiness, deploying materials and security to polling stations, rights bodies insist that a technically sound election is meaningless if voters are too intimidated to participate freely.

As the nation watches these by-elections, the ultimate test is not just in the counting of ballots, but in the protection of the voter. As the KNCHR aptly put it, “Everyone should enjoy the right to vote and be voted for freely without coercion, bribery or intimidation.”