Masimba Ward Rep Bouse Mairura has condemned political violence and intimidation after a group of youths armed with machetes and axes attended a Linda Matiangi rally in Masimba on Sunday.
Mairura, who is eyeing the Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket in the 2027 General Election, in a statement Friday claimed the group intended to harm his brother, Chris, but their plans were exposed before anyone was injured.
“The boys who came to Sunday's meeting armed with machetes and axes were seen by people present. My investigations have established that they intended to harm my brother, Chris, but thank God their plans were exposed before anyone was hurt,” he said.
He warned against the use of violence to intimidate political opponents, insisting that such acts would not be tolerated at his meetings or other public gatherings.
“Politics is about persuasion, not violence; ideas, not intimidation; and leadership, not threats,” Mairura said, urging political leaders and their supporters to respect divergent opinions and maintain peace.
He maintained that political competition should be based on ideas rather than threats, warning that differences should never put lives at risk.
“I stand firmly against political violence. Let peace prevail,” he said.
The allegations surrounding Sunday's incident had not been independently verified. It was not immediately clear whether the matter had been reported to police or whether any suspects had been arrested.
The rising wave of goonism in Kisii County has sparked growing concern over political violence, intimidation and the emergence of gangs accused of disrupting political meetings as the region edges towards the 2027 General Election. A series of reported attacks on politicians, their supporters and ordinary residents has raised questions about public safety and the ability of security agencies to protect political gatherings from criminal elements.
The violence threatens to turn political competition into a contest of force, with rival factions trading accusations over the use of gangs to intimidate opponents, disrupt meetings and settle political scores. The allegations have intensified calls for police to investigate reported attacks, arrest suspected perpetrators and establish whether any individuals are financing or sponsoring the violence for political gain.
In February 2026, opposition leaders visiting the Gusii region condemned disruptions to their activities and accused security agencies of failing to take decisive action against suspected goons.
The claims added to concerns about the shrinking space for peaceful political engagement, although allegations of political sponsorship require independent investigation.
In June, Ichuni Ward MCA Wycliffe Siocha was reportedly attacked by a group of assailants near Gusii Stadium in Kisii town, sustaining injuries that required hospital treatment. Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu also raised concerns over attacks on politicians and what he described as a failure to bring perpetrators to justice.
The situation escalated on July 3, when a group reportedly armed with clubs disrupted a Linda Mwananchi political gathering in Keumbu, blocking the Kisii–Keroka road and pelting vehicles with stones. Several people were injured and vehicles damaged, according to media reports. The incident drew condemnation from opposition leaders and former Chief Justice David Maraga, further highlighting fears that political gatherings could become flashpoints for violence.
The concerns have extended beyond political rallies to allegations of assaults, robberies and intimidation in Kisii town. Traders and residents have raised questions about public security, with some alleging links between suspected gang members and local political figures. Such claims remain matters for investigation and should not be treated as established facts without supporting evidence.
The emergence of groups accused of participating in political confrontations has also intensified scrutiny of how political mobilisation is organised. Allegations that some individuals are recruited or rewarded to intimidate opponents point to the danger of allowing economic desperation, political rivalry and impunity to combine into a culture of violence.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the challenge for security agencies is to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Police must investigate attacks impartially, prosecute offenders where evidence supports charges and establish the truth behind allegations of political sponsorship, regardless of the status or influence of those implicated.
The stakes extend beyond politicians and their supporters. Persistent insecurity threatens traders, discourages investment and undermines public confidence in law enforcement. Under the Constitution, political actors and their supporters are entitled to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, rights that cannot lawfully be denied through threats, assault or destruction of property.
For Kisii, the growing concern is whether political leaders and security agencies will act decisively before goonism becomes entrenched in the region's political culture. If violence is allowed to replace debate, ordinary residents, businesses and voters will ultimately bear the greatest cost.