Eight Arrested in Kisumu, Six in Nyahururu as NPS Condemns Political Violence

The National Police Service (NPS) has condemned violent attacks that occurred during political events in Kisumu and Nyahururu, warning that those responsible will face the full force of the law.

In a statement released on X, formerly Twitter, the national police service showed its dissatisfaction with the culture of violence being experienced in the country.

The acts that they described as political intolerance, violence, and goonism, they said, undermine public order.

They further said that these acts undermine national cohesion and infringe on citizens' constitutional rights to peacefully associate, assemble, and participate in political activities.

“The service strongly condemns these acts of political intolerance, violence and goonism.” These incidents undermine public order, threaten national cohesion and violate citizens' constitutional rights to peacefully associate, assemble and participate in political activities,” alleged part of the statement.

In Kisumu city, the service alleges that the violence resulted in the demise of one person and several injuries. It is said that nine motorcycles were set ablaze and a police vehicle was vandalized in the process.

So far, eight people have been arrested following a swift intervention by the police. The suspects are currently in custody awaiting arraignment in a court of law.

“Following swift police intervention, eight suspects were arrested and placed in custody pending arraignment in court,” read the statement.

More suspects are expected to be arrested as investigations are still on going to identify other perpetrators.

In Nyahururu, six suspects have been handcuffed and are in police custody awaiting arraignment in a court of law. The arrest follows an attempt by a group of individuals to disrupt a political rally. They orchestrated this plan by throwing stones.

The violence led to injuries to several members of the public. According to the statement, one person, Joseph Giatau, sustained a chest injury. The victim was quickly rushed to the hospital, received treatment, and was promptly discharged.

The police have strongly denied the allegations of a shooting incident at the time of the violence.

“In Nyahururu Town, a group of individuals attempted to disrupt a political rally by throwing stones, causing injury to several members of the public, including one Joseph Gitau who sustained a chest injury and was treated and discharged. Contrary to some allegations, there was no shooting incident,” the statement read.

The police service has sounded a warning to those engaging in and enabling goonism, inciting supporters and disrupting lawful gatherings of being dealt with through the full force of the law.

The statement insisted that no one is above the law, whether based on social status, political affiliations or public office.

“The National Police Service reiterates that no person – regardless of social status, political affiliations or public office – is above the law,” the statement read. This comes at a time when those higher up in the office are being accused of funding the recent goonism culture witnessed in the country.

The political violence in Nyahururu Town and Kisumu City comes barely three weeks after another political violence was witnessed in Keumbu, Kisii.

The police service said they are committed to conducting thorough and nonpartisan investigations to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.

They appealed to the members of the public with information that can aid investigations to report to the nearest police station or through certified toll-free numbers.