By John Mutiso
The National Police Service (NPS) has cautioned politicians against making inciteful utterances ahead of the Thursday, November 27, 2025, by-elections.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 26, NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga also asked politicians to desist from making statements that could be interpreted as threatening, defamatory or undermining confidence in state institutions.
Nyaga called on politicians to respect and cooperate with electoral officials during the Thursday by-elections.
“All political leaders are specifically called upon to desist from utterances that are inciteful to violence or bear hatred of whatever form. They should further refrain from making statements that could be interpreted as threatening or defamatory, or that undermine public confidence in our institutions.
“We further ask all political leaders to be respectful and cooperate with the electoral officials so as to deliver a credible and accountable exercise,” read the NPS statement in part.
The NPS Spokesperson warned that any individual found inciting unlawful activities will face the full force of the law.
He said police officers who will be deployed during the by-elections will act with utmost professionalism and respect the rights of all persons.
“Any person who, regardless of status or political standing, engages in or incites unlawful activity will face the full force of the law,” Nyaga stated.
Further, Nyaga asked the public to remain calm and go about their daily activities during the Thursday by-elections.
“We urge all Kenyans to remain calm and law-abiding while collaboratively working with law enforcers and the IEBC officials.
“They should go about their daily activities without fear and in the knowledge that their security is assured,” he concluded.
IEBC is scheduled to hold by-elections across 15 wards on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
This includes: Chewani (Tana River), Fafi (Garissa), Mumbuni North (Machakos), Lake Zone (Turkana), Nanaam (Turkana), Angata Nanyokie (Samburu), and Chemundu (Nandi).
Others are Narok Town (Narok), Purko (Kajiado), Kisa East (Kakamega), Nyamaiya (Nyamira), Ekerenyo (Nyamira), Nyansiongo (Nyamira), Kariobangi North (Nairobi), and Kabuchai (Bungoma).
The commission will also hold by-elections for the Member of Senate seat for Baringo County and 6 National Assembly seats for Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja constituencies.
On Tuesday, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said the electoral body will deploy both uniformed and plain-clothes officers to ensure order during and after voting.
He explained that the competitive nature of the mini-polls has already led to disagreements, adding that the commission’s security plan covers critical hotspots.
“There are competitions going on, so of course there will be misunderstandings and tempers will rise; they have already risen. You will hear several things, but in terms of security, the arrangements we have put in place across all these 22 areas ensure that there is high-level security.
“There will be officers in uniform and additional ones who will not be in uniform, and we are confident that everything will be safe,” he said.
