By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, August 21,2026 - The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has announced plans to pursue the removal of government officials found to have orchestrated or facilitated political violence, warning that public office will not shield individuals responsible for violence as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
LSK President Charles Kanjama said the society would act on credible evidence linking public officials to the organisation or facilitation of political goonism.
He called on journalists and members of the public to provide evidence that could help establish who is responsible for violence witnessed during political activities.
“LSK has taken upon itself the responsibility of promoting accountability. If we get the required level of evidence from the media or other well-meaning Kenyans, we want to start the process of removing from office whichever officer the evidence points to as being accountable,” Kanjama said.
Kanjama said the society would work through its Public Interest Litigation and Rule of Law committees to pursue accountability where sufficient evidence is presented.
The LSK also plans to work with constitutional commissions and independent offices in pursuing action against officials implicated in political violence.
Beyond seeking removal from office, Kanjama said the society could pursue criminal proceedings and civil claims for compensation against individuals found responsible.
The announcement places the legal profession at the centre of growing efforts to establish accountability for political violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The LSK position comes days after violence erupted during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County on August 16.
At least eight journalists and two drivers were reported injured, while media equipment and vehicles were damaged during the clashes. Police are pursuing a key suspect linked to the incident.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of journalists, political opponents and members of the public as political mobilisation intensifies.
LSK has separately moved to examine remarks attributed to Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, with its Practice Standards and Ethics Committee directed to determine whether the statements amount to professional misconduct under the Advocates Act.
LSK's announcement does not mean that officials accused of involvement in political violence will automatically lose their positions.
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Kanjama's statement specifically refers to the need for credible and sufficient evidence establishing responsibility.
This makes documentation of political violence particularly important. Video footage, photographs, eyewitness accounts, investigative journalism and other verifiable evidence could potentially help establish what happened and who was responsible.
The society is effectively asking members of the public and media organisations to preserve and submit evidence rather than allowing allegations of political violence to remain at the level of competing claims.
The LSK announcement comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election, raising renewed concerns about the use of organised groups to disrupt political gatherings or intimidate opponents.
The issue has also attracted attention beyond the legal profession. Human rights organisation Vocal Africa has petitioned the International Criminal Court to monitor Kenya ahead of the 2027 election and called for early warnings to political actors and state officials against incitement and mobilisation of violence.
The organisation has also called for scrutiny of individuals and networks allegedly involved in financing, directing or shielding gangs accused of attacking civilians, journalists, protesters and political opponents.
For LSK, however, the immediate focus is on establishing accountability through Kenya's own legal and constitutional mechanisms.
The society's position puts public officials on notice that credible evidence linking them to political violence could trigger attempts to remove them from office, alongside possible criminal and civil proceedings.
With the 2027 elections approaching, LSK is now signalling that political violence will not only be treated as a security or political problem, but as an accountability issue that could have direct consequences for those holding public office.