Orengo accuses authorities of inaction as political violence soars

By Faith Matete 

Siaya Governor James Orengo has accused the government of failing to curb political violence and alleged that criminal gangs are being used to intimidate critics of the current administration.

Orengo claimed that despite assurances from police leadership that action would be taken against organised gangs, incidents of violence have continued to rise across the country.

“About a month ago, the Inspector General said he was going to deal with goonism firmly and decisively. Since then, we have witnessed many incidents of violence,” he said.

Speaking to the media in Kisumu, the governor questioned why perpetrators of attacks on public meetings and political gatherings have not been arrested and prosecuted.

He further alleged, “It is irrefutable that those being used as goons are essentially funded.”

Orengo cited recent attacks on public forums, schools, and political leaders, including incidents in Kisumu and other parts of the country, saying the continued violence threatens Kenya’s democratic foundations.

The governor warned that the country risks sliding into authoritarianism if political violence is normalised.

“We either choose to be a democratic and peaceful state or become an autocratic dictatorship where violence is weaponised and used as a tool of ruling the country,” he said.

Orengo urged the Inspector General of Police and Interior Ministry officials to explain why those responsible for the violence have not been brought to justice.

He said Kenya risks reversing gains made in democratic governance if violence becomes a normal feature of political competition.

He further appealed to President William Ruto to intervene, warning that violence could undermine future elections.

“A free election held with violence as one of the parameters cannot result in a democratically elected government,” he said.

Orengo compared the current situation to periods in Kenya’s past when political violence was allegedly used to silence dissent, cautioning that such trends could undermine the country’s democratic gains.