NAIROBI, KENYA – National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on Thursday, November 27, 2025, issued a stern call to Kenya's security agencies, demanding they guarantee the safety of all voters and candidates participating in a series of hotly contested by-elections across the country. His remarks follow several violent incidents during the campaign period, raising fears of intimidation and disruption on polling day.

The Speaker’s demand comes as voting gets underway in 22 electoral areas for various seats left vacant due to deaths, resignations, or court nullifications. The political stakes are particularly high in the Chwele-Kabuchai ward by-election in Bungoma County, a region considered Wetang’ula’s political stronghold. Speaking earlier in the week, Wetang'ula affirmed that security had been reinforced in the area to prevent any violence. “I assured voters that security has been reinforced to prevent any violence that could disrupt Thursday's poll,” Wetang’ula stated during a campaign rally for FORD-Kenya’s candidate, Vincent Maunda.

The call for heightened security was prompted by a chaotic incident on November 22, when a rally led by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who was campaigning for an independent candidate, was violently disrupted. Eyewitnesses reported that a group stormed the venue, hurling stones, while loud bangs, suspected to be from teargas canisters, caused panic and dispersed the crowd. Following the incident, opposition leaders termed the attack “State-sponsored violence,” an allegation government-aligned figures have denied, instead blaming rivals for inciting tensions.

A Coordinated Security Response

In response to the rising concerns, both the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the National Police Service (NPS) have assured the public of comprehensive security arrangements. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon confirmed that every polling station will be guarded by a minimum of two police officers, with additional mobile patrol teams ready for rapid response. “Voters are assured of a secure and peaceful environment and are urged to report any incidents through the appropriate security channels,” Ethekon said in a statement released on Wednesday, November 26.

The NPS echoed this commitment, with spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirming the deployment of hundreds of officers, including reinforcements from regions not holding elections, to bolster security in potential hotspots. On Wednesday, November 26, the NPS issued a formal press release reaffirming its constitutional mandate to protect life and property and urging political leaders to refrain from inflammatory statements. This multi-agency approach operates under the Election Security Arrangement Programme (ESAP), a long-standing framework designed to enhance coordination between the IEBC, police, and other state agencies to ensure electoral integrity.

Pockets of Violence and Official Warnings

Despite the assurances, the eve of the by-elections was marked by sporadic violence. Police confirmed disturbances in parts of Narok and Kakamega on Wednesday night, resulting in at least two injuries. In Kasipul Constituency, which has seen heightened tensions including two campaign-related fatalities in recent weeks, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was reportedly injured in a confrontation at a polling station. These incidents underscore the fragile security situation that prompted the Speaker's intervention.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, after assessing security in various electoral areas, issued a stern warning against any attempts to interfere with the voting process. “Anybody who will be found loitering and trying to interfere with elections will be treated as a suspect,” Murkomen stated, emphasizing that security measures were in place to protect vulnerable voters from intimidation. He also warned that owners of vehicles used to transport hired goons would be held accountable.

Implications for Kenya's Democracy

As the third in command in Kenya's constitutional hierarchy, the Speaker's public demand for security places significant pressure on state agencies to deliver a peaceful election. The by-elections are widely seen as a litmus test for the country's political climate and the preparedness of its electoral and security institutions ahead of the next general election. The outcomes in key battlegrounds like Chwele-Kabuchai are also significant for regional political dynamics, with Wetang’ula framing a victory for his party as a move to strengthen FORD-Kenya and expose political betrayals.

Human rights organizations have also voiced concern. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) issued an appeal for calm, warning that rising violence and intimidation during the campaigns posed a serious threat to the rights and safety of voters. As polling continues, all eyes are on the security forces and the IEBC to ensure that the democratic will of the people is expressed freely and without fear.