The petitioners want the High Court to order investigations, protect lawful gatherings and oversee State action ahead of the next General Election.
Human rights organisations have filed a High Court petition seeking investigations into alleged organised political violence ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election. They accuse State agencies of failing to prevent attacks and pursue those responsible.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Katiba Institute, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit and three other petitioners brought the case. Their petition at the Milimani Law Courts concerns attacks on political, civic and religious gatherings.
The groups argue that violence and intimidation threaten freedom of assembly, association, expression and worship. They also warn that failures to investigate reported attacks increase the risk of further violence during political mobilisation.
Political violence petition seeks investigation deadlines
The petitioners want the National Intelligence Service Director-General and Inspector-General of Police to investigate the alleged attacks. Those investigations would also examine networks accused of recruiting, financing and deploying people to disrupt public gatherings.
They seek orders requiring the agencies to preserve police Occurrence Book entries, CCTV footage and communication records. Investigators would then forward completed files to the Director of Public Prosecutions for charging decisions.
Under the proposed orders, the agencies would submit a joint progress report within 60 days. The petitioners also want investigators to establish whether political parties or their officials supported the implicated armed groups.
They argue that sponsoring, financing or facilitating such groups would breach Article 91(2)(c) of the Constitution.
Groups seek task force and court oversight
The organisations also seek a dedicated, adequately funded multi-agency task force within 30 days. Police and Directorate of Criminal Investigations personnel would work with the DPP to investigate organisers and financiers.
Beyond investigations, the petitioners propose a national framework to prevent and respond to organised attacks. It would define institutional responsibilities, reporting channels, intelligence sharing and victim protection, subject to court approval.
They further want the court to retain oversight and require regular compliance reports. The proposed process would include independent monitoring by the electoral commission and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Meanwhile, the groups want police to provide adequate, non-discriminatory security at lawful rallies, religious services, civic forums and press conferences.
KHRC cites attack on Nairobi offices
KHRC alleges that armed individuals stormed its Nairobi offices on July 6, 2025. The attack disrupted a press conference by mothers of police brutality victims ahead of the Saba Saba commemorations.
The commission says it supplied CCTV footage and other evidence to police. However, it alleges that no meaningful investigation or prosecution had followed when the petition was prepared.
The petitioners also seek damages over alleged rights violations linked to attacks and the costs of the case. They maintain that State agencies must protect constitutional freedoms regardless of the political interests involved.
