Ahead of Kenya’s 22 by-elections scheduled for Thursday, November 27, human rights organizations have raised alarm over reports that some Cabinet Secretaries and parliamentary Speakers may be using government resources to influence voters, calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to act swiftly.
Speaking at a Nairobi press briefing on Tuesday, Hussein Khalid, executive director of Vocal Africa, highlighted what he described as a worrying pattern of electoral misconduct, including violence, bribery, and partisan involvement of public officers in campaigning.
“There is an upsurge in electoral-related violence, misuse of state resources by incumbent political actors, open bribery and intimidation of voters and opposing candidates, coupled with slow and inconsistent response by security actors,” Khalid said, adding that such actions could erode trust in the electoral process.
He stressed that any public officer found to be engaging in partisan politics should be declared unfit to continue in office.
“We appeal to the EACC to investigate any public officer engaging in partisan politics with a view to declaring them unfit to hold office,” he said. Khalid also warned that weak enforcement of electoral laws and codes of conduct could further undermine confidence in the polls.
Vocal Africa urged the National Police Service to increase security in volatile areas, including Kasipul and Mbeere North, where violent incidents have been reported in recent weeks.
“The police must prioritise active, visible and impartial security presence to deter violence, protect candidates, safeguard campaign agents, and reassure voters,” he said.
Security arrangements for the by-elections have already been strengthened, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirming deployment of both uniformed and plainclothes officers across all constituencies.
Commissioner Alutala Mukhwana said, “These elections are a competition, so tensions are bound to rise, and indeed they have already risen, but in terms of security, the arrangements we have put in place across all 22 areas are sufficient. There are police officers in uniform, others not in uniform, and we have involved all security agencies.”
The organization’s preliminary findings indicate an environment marked by active misuse of state resources, voter intimidation, slow responses by security personnel, and open bribery. Khalid warned that if such practices continue unchecked, the credibility of the November 27 mini-polls could be seriously compromised.
“As we present these preliminary findings, we do so with deep concern and a sense of responsibility to alert Kenyans on the emerging patterns and risks undermining credible poll results,” he said.
Vocal Africa also called on the IEBC to consider disqualifying candidates who violate electoral laws and to enforce penalties against public officers involved in partisan campaigns.
In Mbeere North, IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan and other commissioners met with local security agencies following claims by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki that opposition operatives planned to disrupt voting.
In Magarini, returning officer Joseph Mwofondo said security would be tight, with two officers stationed at each polling station and over 50 others, including Rapid Deployment Unit personnel, at the tallying centre.
He also warned voters against photographing ballots after reports that some politicians were offering incentives in exchange for such evidence.
“Such actions are a punishable offence, and security agencies have been tasked to decisively handle any violations,” Mwofondo said, noting that presiding officers have been instructed to enforce rules prohibiting phones inside voting booths.
