Kenya: Police Warn Political Actors Against Incitement, Order Officers to Uphold Law and Order

What the report says

The National Police Service in Kenya has warned politicians, rally organisers and other actors against incitement, provocation or any conduct that could threaten peace and public order, according to a Capital FM report distributed by AllAfrica. The statement came as political tensions increased in parts of the country, with police also telling officers deployed to public gatherings to remain professional, impartial and restrained while enforcing the law.

The service said the warning followed the arrest of 15 suspects on the Kisumu-Kericho Road on Saturday, August 15, during an intelligence-led operation. Police said the group was found with crude weapons and was being held pending arraignment. Preliminary investigations, as cited in the report, suggested the suspects may have been hired to disrupt political activity in the area.

In Nairobi, the police spokesperson said anyone who helps fuel violence or disorder would face legal action. The service also stressed that officers must protect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly while preventing unlawful conduct. The message appears aimed at balancing security concerns with political freedoms.

The report also noted unrest around Homa Bay, where roads leading into the town were reportedly blocked with stones before a planned Linda Mwananchi rally. More broadly, the episode highlights how security agencies are trying to prevent political disputes from escalating while allowing lawful rallies to proceed.