Kenya National Police Service Warns Against Political Incitement

• The National Police Service has warned against incitement, provocation, and conduct likely to breach peace and public order.
• 15 suspects were arrested along the Kisumu–Kericho Road on August 15, 2026, for allegedly planning to disrupt political activities.
• Individuals facilitating violence or disorder will face firm action and prosecution in accordance with the law.
• Police officers deployed to political events must uphold high standards of professionalism, impartiality, and restraint.
• The public is urged to report any criminal or suspicious activity to maintain public safety.

National Police Service remains strictly non-partisan, guided solely by the Constitution, the National Police Service Act, and the rule of law. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to maintaining public order and protecting every citizen’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a stern warning against politicians, organisers, and individuals who engage in incitement, provocation, or conduct that breaches peace and public order. The warning comes after the arrest of 15 suspects found with crude weapons along the Kisumu–Kericho Road on August 15, 2026. Preliminary investigations suggest that these suspects were hired criminals planning to disrupt political activities in the area.

The NPS has made it clear that offenders will face the full force of the law, and individuals facilitating violence or disorder will be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the law.

The warning issued by the NPS is rooted in Kenya's laws governing public order maintenance. The National Police Service Act and the Constitution provide a framework for maintaining law and order, ensuring that citizens' constitutional rights to peaceful assembly are protected. Police officers deployed to political events must uphold high standards of professionalism, impartiality, and restraint while facilitating the right to peaceful assembly.

The NPS has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' constitutional rights. This commitment is reflected in the Service's Standard Operating Procedures for handling public gatherings and maintaining public order.

The warning issued by the NPS highlights the heightened risk of arrest and prosecution for individuals facilitating violence or disorder. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of this risk when advising clients on political events. The NPS's commitment to maintaining public order and protecting citizens' constitutional rights underscores the importance of ensuring that political activities are conducted in accordance with the law.

The public is also urged to report any criminal or suspicious activity, emphasizing the collaborative effort between the police and citizens in maintaining public safety.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the heightened risk of arrest and prosecution for individuals facilitating violence or disorder, and ensure that their clients' political events are conducted in accordance with the law and Standard Operating Procedures.

Source: Original reporting via The National Police Service