Civil society raises alarm over 2027 election readiness after chaotic by‑elections
The groups say the ugly scenes captured across different regions show that the country is drifting toward a dangerous electoral environment unless early action is taken.
Concerns about Kenya’s readiness for the 2027 general election have intensified after the chaos and disruptions that rocked Thursday’s by-elections, prompting civil society groups in Mombasa to call for urgent intervention.
The groups say the ugly scenes captured across different regions show that the country is drifting toward a dangerous electoral environment unless early action is taken.
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During a gathering in Mombasa to review the mini-polls, Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights chairperson Zedekiah Adika said the tension witnessed before and during the exercise was a clear sign that the country is not fully prepared for the next national vote.
He noted that confrontations were not limited to areas that had active by-elections.
“We have seen aspects of violence in various parts of the country in the run-up to the mini-polls, even in areas without by-elections, including Mombasa,” Adika said. “We saw MCAs fight in Likoni, and they brought that fight to the county assembly.”
Adika said some of the incidents can be linked to politicians who use force and intimidation to shift attention from real issues.
He warned that unless these patterns are addressed, the country may face a repeat or worse situation in 2027.
“Those are things that are pointers. So we have to prepare very well to ensure we are not diverted from the issues by the violence and bravado that politicians exhibit, including the use of goons and guns to divert attention,” Adika said.
The civil society network has rolled out the Agenda Yetu programme, which is supported by the Uraia Trust, to help communities start preparing early for the next polls.
The initiative focuses on civic awareness, peacebuilding, and helping voters understand their role in a fair election process.
Kwacha Africa’s Johnston Kalama said the programme is meant to improve how people understand the entire electoral cycle and why it must be handled openly.
“This means the entire procedure that leads to the elections. It involves ensuring the peace that the process should have, the transparency that is supposed to be involved and the quality of the leadership that we are going to have," Kalama said.
That means we have to look at the manifestos they are going to stand for and the believability of the candidates,” he added.
Adika urged Kenyans to gear up for the 2027 elections guided by real priorities and unresolved questions carried from the last cycle. He pointed out that some issues raised after the 2022 results have never been closed.
“The question of the server was not really resolved. Politicians decided to have a handshake. But that question points to the lack of transparency of the political process, which we should resolve before 2027,” he said.
He also said the suitability of some candidates remains a concern, noting that people with questionable documents have been cleared before.
Adika urged the IEBC to apply the law strictly when verifying individuals seeking public office.
IEBC official Masha Sudi said the commission will increase collaboration with groups working on elections and peacebuilding to ensure a safer and more transparent 2027 process.
He said their goal is to remove fear around elections.
“We want to reach a point where people will not pack their bags to go home because an election is about to be conducted,” Masha said.
Mombasa deputy county commissioner Kalume Kashulu said civic education must be strengthened because many voters do not understand the background or plans of those they support.
Kashulu said the government is committed to safeguarding peace throughout the election period and beyond.
“As a government, we take security seriously because it is the most important thing for us. We assure that Kenyans will be safe, not only in the election period but always,” Kashulu said.
He encouraged voters to make thoughtful choices during elections so that they do not regret having chosen leaders who fail to represent them well.
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