Human rights organisation VOCAL Africa has appealed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to closely monitor Kenya’s political, security and human rights situation ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that growing political violence and ethnic tensions could escalate into serious crimes.
In an urgent communication to the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, VOCAL Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid asked the court to take formal notice of what the organisation described as a rapidly deteriorating environment and assess developments under Article 15 of the Rome Statute.
The organisation said its appeal was intended as an early warning measure rather than a request for immediate ICC intervention. “Kenya's experience during the 2007-2008 post-election violence demonstrated how quickly political intolerance, ethnic mobilisation, inflammatory rhetoric, organised gangs and institutional failure can lead to mass violence,” VOCAL Africa said.
It warned that the combination of political intolerance, organised violence, inflammatory rhetoric and institutional weaknesses could create conditions for widespread human rights violations and, in the worst circumstances, crimes against humanity.
VOCAL Africa said the deployment of organised groups, which it referred to as “goons”, had become increasingly common during political meetings, protests, civic forums and other public gatherings since the Gen Z protests of 2024 and 2025.
According to the organisation, such groups have allegedly targeted politicians, journalists, human rights defenders, peaceful protesters, women, young people and political opponents.
It cited recent incidents in Homa Bay, Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Nakuru and Kajiado counties as evidence of a widening pattern of political violence.
The organisation specifically referred to an incident in Homa Bay on August 16, 2026, where it said political supporters and journalists were attacked, resulting in the deaths of at least two people, including a police officer, and injuries to others.
It also cited alleged attacks on young people, journalists and human rights defenders in Mombasa, as well as disruptions of peaceful protests and public forums in Nairobi.
VOCAL Africa expressed concern that some attacks had allegedly occurred in the presence of police officers, while investigations had not resulted in what it considers adequate accountability for organisers, financiers and political beneficiaries.
“Arresting a few vulnerable young people while leaving their sponsors untouched cannot dismantle political violence,” the organisation said.
The appeal also raised concern over what it described as increased political intolerance, ethnic profiling and inflammatory rhetoric by political leaders. VOCAL Africa argued that statements portraying political opponents or communities as enemies could heighten tensions, particularly when combined with organised groups and weak accountability mechanisms.
The organisation said Kenya’s history showed that inflammatory political language could contribute to violence when combined with ethnic mobilisation and institutional failure.
It further accused key institutions, including the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), of failing to provide adequate safeguards against political violence, incitement and misuse of public resources.
“These institutions appear useless and impotent at a time when their independence, courage and effectiveness are urgently required,” VOCAL Africa said.
The organisation urged the ICC Prosecutor to preserve and analyse credible information relating to possible crimes within the court’s jurisdiction and pay particular attention to individuals or networks allegedly involved in organising, financing, directing or protecting violent groups.
It also asked the prosecutor to remind political leaders, public officials and security commanders that individual criminal responsibility could arise where persons order, facilitate, encourage or otherwise contribute to crimes falling within the ICC’s jurisdiction.
VOCAL Africa further called on the United Nations, African Union, diplomatic missions, international human rights organisations and development partners to deploy long-term human rights and electoral monitors ahead of the election.
“Waiting until the formal campaign period or the final weeks before the election may be too late,” the organisation said, arguing that early international monitoring could help document emerging patterns, identify responsible actors and deter further violence.
The appeal comes as Kenya moves towards the 2027 General Election, with VOCAL Africa warning that the country should not wait for large-scale violence before preventive action is taken.
“This is a preventive appeal,” the organisation said. “Kenya must not be allowed to descend into large scale violence before the international community acts.”
The organisation said it remained ready to provide verified documentation, incident reports and additional information to relevant institutions, subject to confidentiality and witness-protection arrangements.