Inside IEBC's plan to crackdown on political goonism

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has vowed to crack down on goonism ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that it threatens to derail the outcome of free and fair polls.

The electoral agency raised concerns yesterday that the use of goons by politicians has become prevalent, and it will decisively enforce the electoral code of conduct to deter this vice, which not only threatens peace in the country but also perpetuates electoral violence.

The IEBC Chief Executive Officer, Moses Sunkuli, gave the warning when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to answer audit queries raised through the reports from the office of the Auditor General for the financial year 2024 and 2025.

Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana emphasised that the issue of goonism would jointly be addressed by IEBC and other investigative agencies, such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

“The issue of goons has become a real concern for us as IEBC, and we have a code of conduct that stipulates what should be done. We are going to be unprecedented in the way we deal with cases of goonism. We are going to do whatever it takes as long as it is within the law to ensure that we have a peaceful 2027 election,” said Mukwana.

The commissioner went ahead to place blame on the surging goonism culture on the doorstep of MPs, terming them the biggest enablers of disorder.

“Our biggest issue is that you politicians are the problem. You keep hurling words at each other in public and engaging in hate speech. I urge that we behave ourselves,” he stated.

Mukhwana was responding to a question from committee chairperson Tindi Mwale, who had sought to know the measures that the electoral agency had taken to ensure that the issue of goons did not interfere with the elections.

Mwale, who also doubles as the Butere MP, challenged the Commission to act decisively and regain the public’s trust as a credible referee in the forthcoming polls.

But immediately after Commissioner Mukhwana’s response, the lawmakers went in, accusing the commission of not doing enough and applying the electoral laws selectively.

“The truth is that you are implementing the law selectively, and if that continues, you will not be able to address this issue,” said Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera.

Teso South MP Mary Emase called on IEBC to ensure that come election day, only principal agents of cleared aspirants were allowed into the polling centres to avoid chaos and infiltration of goons disguised as supporters into the facilities.

Turkana Central MP Joseph Namuar, while highlighting a recent case where his constituent was almost beaten to death by goons, urged IEBC to embrace mapping of areas at high risk of goonism before the polls.

“If you know the risk areas beforehand, you will be able to get ahead of the problem and control it,” said Namuar.

Commissioner Mukhwana, however, doubled down on his response, noting that from data relayed by investigative agencies, there were over 100 organised groups that have been wreaking havoc and linked to goonism.

“Risk mapping is already being undertaken by a unit from IEBC …but let us be honest, if you politicians stop paying for the use of these goons, then we will stop having this issue. Politicians have, however, been speaking from both sides of their mouths; on one hand, they say they want the issue dealt with, but once they hit the campaign trail, they go sponsoring these goons,” he stated.

The development came a day after a tough-talking Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the country from political violence and other security threats.

Speaking during a church service at AIC Kamuneru in Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County, the CS assured Kenyans that the Government would remain firm in dealing with perpetrators of this menace.

“I promise you, just pray for me, I’ll deal with those people one by one,” Murkomen said.

“We will work together to make sure this country is safe,” he added, reiterating that the Government will continue to deploy all lawful measures to protect Kenyans and their property.

Earlier this month, the country witnessed yet another case of goonism after goons invaded the All Saints Cathedral on June 12, 2026, disrupting a post-budget dialogue meeting organised by civil society groups. CCTV footage of the incident showed groups of irate men storming the church compound in waves and eventually forcing their way through.

CS Murkomen linked the attack to rising cases of “goonism” involving actors from across the political divide.

“Even as the country remains safe and secure, goonism perpetrated by actors across the political divide continues to pose a challenge, as witnessed in the recent unfortunate incident at All Saints Cathedral,” Murkomen said.

To this end, bodies such as the Law Society of Kenya and UN peace ambassadors have called on the state to arrest the sponsors of such attacks.

Chief Justice Martha Koome called on IEBC to disqualify politicians found to be sponsoring goons from participating in next year's General Election.

Koome, who spoke during the launch of the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and the Election Operations Plan 2025–2027, said the electoral body has adequate powers under the law to deal with the growing culture of political violence in the country.