{
  "id": 3285265,
  "title": "Police to Recommend Violent Political Actors to IEBC for Possible Action, Masengeli Says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/police-to-recommend-violent-political-actors-to-iebc-for-possible",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T14:49:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/police-to-recommend-violent-political-actors-to-iebc-for-possible-action-masengeli-says/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nairobi, Kenya – The National Police Service intends to suggest to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) individuals they deem unsuitable for political positions due to a history of instigating or engaging in political violence, Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli announced. Masengeli emphasized that security forces are ramping up efforts to curb politically-driven violence ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that those involved in organizing or sponsoring violence would face strong consequences. \"We will deal with goons firmly and their sponsors,\" Masengeli declared. The police pledged to present names of individuals with violent pasts to the electoral commission for review. \"We will recommend to the IEBC those individuals that are not fit to run for offices based on their track record of promoting or perpetrating violence in Kenya,\" Masengeli stated. The announcement followed recent violence that disrupted a political rally in Homa Bay County on August 16, prompting the National Police Service to intensify its investigations and arrest suspects connected to the incidents. In connection with the violence, 37 suspected gang members were apprehended, possessing weapons such as machetes, ropes, metal rods, knives, rungus, batons, and torches. Police also reported assaults on journalists and damage to five police vehicles and several civilian vehicles, with one police vehicle crashing and its driver losing his life, while five officers sustained injuries. Further injuries occurred when officers arrested suspected gang members along the Kisumu-Kericho Road the previous day, raising the total number of injured officers to eight. Masengeli warned that the police would pursue additional individuals who may have participated in the violence, including organizers, financiers, mobilizers, arming providers, or facilitators of criminal elements involved in causing violence and disorder. Speaking during the launch of the Roadmap to a Peaceful General Election 2027, Masengeli urged political actors and members of the public to respect their constitutional rights and responsibilities. He cautioned that political and civil liberties could not be used as justification for actions threatening national security or public welfare. \"As much as you have all the freedom to do whatever you want to do, there are limits when it comes to threats to national security and the common good of the public,\" Masengeli cautioned. The police urged respect for political and civil rights, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility. Masengeli's remarks do not grant the police the authority to directly disqualify candidates, but rather, they will recommend to the IEBC individuals they consider unfit for political roles based on their history of promoting or engaging in violence. The final decision on candidates' eligibility will remain subject to the electoral and legal framework governing the 2027 elections.",
  "summary": "Masengeli said security agencies were intensifying efforts to prevent politically instigated violence ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that individuals involved in organising or sponsoring violence would face firm action.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}