The 2027 political season is already raising security concerns, with Jubilee Party now calling for Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to step aside over what it says is the government’s failure to keep political gatherings safe.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader (Operations) Jeremiah Kioni said the country’s security agencies must protect citizens without considering their political affiliations, warning that the presence of goons and growing verbal attacks could create fear and weaken Kenya’s democratic space.
Kioni made the remarks on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during the Jubilee Party Mount Kenya Consultative Forum in Limuru, where the party criticised the government’s handling of security as political parties begin preparing for the 2027 General Election.
According to Kioni, Kenyans should be able to attend political meetings, express their views and support their preferred leaders without facing intimidation or violence.
He said political rivalry should remain within the limits of democratic competition and should not be allowed to turn into physical confrontations or threats.
Kioni also accused the government of worsening the difficulties facing Kenyans and said Jubilee would campaign for its removal through elections.
“We want to work with Kenyans. We are looking for leaders. We want to remove the government of the day. It is the one that has caused the pain to Kenyans,” Kioni said.
The Jubilee leader further made it clear that the party would not support violence as a way of dealing with political opponents, including attacks involving groups of youths at rallies.
“We do not support any form of violence, even verbal violence,” he said.
The party’s demand puts Murkomen and the Interior Ministry under renewed scrutiny over how security is managed during political activities.
Jubilee wants security officers to remain neutral and provide protection to all political groups, arguing that no Kenyan should be treated differently because of their political choices.
Matiang’i backs peaceful competition
Jubilee deputy leader and presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i also used the forum to call for a different approach to political competition, urging leaders to maintain peace and respect despite their differences.
Matiang’i said the existence of political opponents was normal in a multiparty system and warned against turning political disagreements into personal hostility.
“We are a multiparty democracy. We will have opponents. That is the reality of this time. They are not enemies. They are competitors,” Matiang’i said.
He urged politicians to present competing ideas and policies instead of allowing political differences to divide the country.
Matiang’i also reminded leaders that political contests should not take away their responsibility to protect and build Kenya.
“When it comes to engaging and discussing how we want to move forward, we must always remember we have a country to run and we have a country to build,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when political parties are stepping up their activities ahead of the 2027 General Election, with concerns growing over how competing camps will conduct their campaigns.
The demand for Murkomen’s resignation follows renewed attention on political violence after clashes were reported during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County over the weekend.
The confrontation has attracted criticism from religious leaders, including the Anglican Church of Kenya, which condemned violence at political meetings and called on leaders and their supporters to act responsibly.
The incident has added to wider concerns about the safety of political gatherings as parties intensify their mobilisation ahead of the next election.
Jubilee said security agencies should act early whenever there are signs of possible violence instead of waiting for confrontations to escalate.
The party also wants all political groups to be allowed to organise meetings and campaign without intimidation, regardless of their political alignment.
Kioni’s demand is likely to keep the Interior Ministry at the centre of political debate over security and the conduct of rallies as the country heads towards the 2027 polls.
With more political activities expected in the coming months, the handling of goon attacks, clashes and other forms of intimidation will remain a major concern for political leaders and security agencies.