Goon politics haunt Kisii as 2027 election tensions escalate

There is rising concern over the increasing use of hired goons to disrupt rival political meetings, funerals and other public fora in Kisii County amid fears it could poison campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.

The latest incident happened when goons sought to disrupt a Linda Mwananchi rally at Keumbu, which was attended by, among others, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and former Chief Justice David Maraga, who has set his eyes on the presidency.

It left one person dead and several others injured when the goons who were armed with clubs attacked the Linda Mwananchi convoy with stones as it headed to Keroka town on Friday last week.

“We do not want a repeat of the 2007 violence, please. Why must people be killed because of politics?” Oscar Osiemo, a brother of 36-year-old Vincent Osiemo, popularly known as Mapinduzi, said.

Police have summoned Nyaribari Chache Member of Parliament (MP) Zaheer Jhanda for questioning over the incident even as they arrested six suspects.

The incident following another one in Endereti village, Bomachoge Borabu, where at least 10 people were injured last month after fighting broke out between two-armed groups believed to be supporters of area MP Obadiah Barongo and Governor Simba Arati.

The two engaged in a blame game over who had sponsored the goons.

A while back, Ichuni MCA Wycliffe Siocha was attacked in Kisii town allegedly for opposing the governor.

Siocha was the mover of the motion that resulted in the impeachment of Deputy Governor Robert Monda before the two drifted apart.

A Senate committee, which was in the county to audit its books, was also attached by goons last month, with the local senator Richard Onyonka accusing the governor of being behind them.

“The senate came to Kisii to do an oversight on the county government after we realised that its books had issues. We went to the assembly so that we could discuss those matters, but when we arrived, the governor organised his goons to start fighting people he believes support me,” he said.

“I want to state categorically that we came here to audit the books of Kisii County, but why does the governor not want us to come and do that? He believes that if he creates violence, then we will fear him. I want to tell him that the fear left us a long time ago. Logic is coming and making an argument where we are,” the senator added.

In June 2023, Arati to flee as goons pelted his car with stones during a funeral in South Mugirango County Assembly Speaker Philip Nyanumba skipped inviting area MP Sylvanus Osoro to address mourners.

The two were attending the burial of Dishon Ayiema, father to Boikanga ward MCA Paul Okombo.

Local leaders have accused the governor of sponsoring goons, which he denies.

Opposition leaders who attended the Kisii rallies have accused the governor of the same.

However, Arati once again strongly denied the claims asking leaders to be truthful in their utterances.

He added that the Linda Mwananchi brigade was the one that had hired goons who later attacked them.