Peaceful Sifuna tour raises questions over recent wave of political rally disruptions

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is welcomed in Kiminini by Linda Mwananchi supporters who donated money to support his movement. [Michael Mute, Standard]

A series of peaceful political rallies by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna across Western Kenya has taken Western Kenya by storm and renewed debate over the recent spate of violence that has disrupted political gatherings in other parts of the country.

The peaceful homecoming tour has stood in sharp contrast to the recent wave of political rallies disrupted by violence, hired goons and unrest in other parts of the country. Apart from a Toyota Prado in the Sifuna convoy overturning and injuring several people, and a lone motorcyclist being forced off the road as the convoy snaked through Western Kenya, the tour has been largely free of the political chaos that has become synonymous with recent opposition gatherings.

The calm stands in contrast to incidents witnessed in areas such as Keumbu in Kisii and Ol Kalou, where political rallies and campaigns were marred by violence and accusations that security officers either failed to intervene or stood by as chaos unfolded.

Opposition leaders have always accused the government of using hired goons and rogue police officers to disrupt their meetings, claims the government has consistently denied.

Sifuna’s homecoming tour, which has taken him through Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties, has proceeded without disruptions, running battles or allegations of hired goons that have characterised several opposition political meetings in recent weeks.

The newfound calm has renewed debate over the recent spell of violence, with analysts pointing to political rivalry, inflammatory rhetoric and youth mobilisation as key drivers of unrest.

Political analyst Javas Bigambo cautioned against drawing a direct link between the presence of police officers and violence at political events.

“I would be reluctant to argue that police presence occasions violence at political meetings. That would be a faulty premise because various political meetings have taken place without any violence, even though police officers were there,” he said.

Bigambo noted that while police have a constitutional duty to provide security and maintain public order, the nature of political competition often determines whether violence erupts. He argued that in areas with intense political rivalry, politicians sometimes mobilise young people to confront their opponents, creating conditions for clashes.

“Where young people are not mobilised against each other, it is possible to cement the argument that political meetings can start peacefully and end peacefully,” he said.

The analyst observed that Western Kenya currently lacks the kind of political rivalry seen in some other regions, making it easier for leaders to hold peaceful public engagements. He also urged politicians to exercise restraint in their public utterances, saying inflammatory rhetoric can heighten political tensions.

“If you juxtapose the language used by different political leaders, you realise that some employ more corrosive language than others. The use of corrosive language can easily lead to emotional upheavals among groups,” Bigambo said.

He further criticised what he termed fearmongering by some politicians, arguing that repeatedly warning supporters of planned attacks before rallies could contribute to heightened tensions.

Political analyst Onchari Oyieyo attributed the peaceful reception of Sifuna’s tour to what he described as broad political consensus across Western Kenya. Saying that Western Kenya has largely accepted Sifuna as a Western Kenya forerunner leader for the seat on the mountain.

“I think the biggest reason why there is peace in gatherings in Western is the widespread acceptance of the supremacy of Edwin Sifuna as a politician at this moment,” Oyieyo said.

According to Oyieyo, many political leaders in the region appear to have rallied behind Sifuna’s leadership, reducing internal competition that often fuels violence during political gatherings.

He said the senator’s appeal among young people has also encouraged supporters to safeguard the meetings from disruption.

“There is that kind of warning that if you come out trying to cause mayhem, you will be met with serious force from self-mobilised supporters. That is why there is peace,” he said.

On allegations by opposition leaders that hired goons operate with the support of security agencies, Oyieyo said such claims have been reinforced by previous incidents where armed civilians were seen operating alongside police officers. However, he cautioned against making blanket conclusions.

“It is not expressly true that the government is always organising hooligans to disrupt meetings,” he said.

Oyieyo maintained that the government has a constitutional obligation to provide security to all political meetings regardless of political affiliation, adding that recent criticism over disrupted rallies may have prompted greater vigilance by security agencies.

“I think whoever has been doing that has gotten the warning and the message, and we are likely to see that kind of calm going forward, and it is a commendable thing,” he said.

The contrasting scenes between Sifuna’s Western Kenya tour and recent political gatherings elsewhere have reignited calls for political leaders to tone down divisive rhetoric and for security agencies to impartially safeguard all political activities as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election. But the question remains whether this political model of peaceful rallies can be replicated across the country, or whether it is something just for the Western Region.