Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned Kenyan politicians against turning the 2027 election campaign into a contest of violence, saying the government will not tolerate leaders who recruit young people to disrupt political meetings or intimidate their opponents.

Speaking during an interdenominational worship service at Kipsamoo Primary School in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County, Murkomen said politicians should compete through policies and development plans rather than physical confrontation.

His remarks come at a time when political activity is already picking up across the country, even though the 2027 General Election is still months away.

Murkomen said security agencies would take action against individuals involved in disrupting political gatherings and warned leaders against mobilising young people for violence.

The Interior CS also urged politicians to allow security agencies to do their work and conduct their campaigns peacefully.

“Political competition must bring results through policies. It should not be about fighting with machetes or anything else,” Murkomen said, according to the Kenya News Agency.

The warning comes after a number of political gatherings in different parts of the country have recently been disrupted by clashes, accusations of goonism and confrontations between rival groups.

One of the latest incidents occurred in Migori, where a political rally involving Siaya Governor James Orengo descended into chaos. Tear gas was discharged during the event, while a vehicle in Orengo's convoy was later set on fire in Awendo. Orengo also alleged that his vehicle had been sprayed with live bullets.

The incidents have increased concerns about the direction political campaigns could take as parties and individual politicians begin positioning themselves for the 2027 race.

Murkomen has repeatedly spoken about the use of organised groups in political activities. Earlier this month, he warned that security agencies would move against politicians who recruit young people to cause violence at political meetings.

President William Ruto has also directed the police to pursue politicians accused of financing gangs to disrupt political meetings, intimidate opponents or cause violence. The President said political disagreements could not be used as an excuse for criminal behaviour.

For Murkomen, the issue is not limited to physical attacks at rallies.

He also criticised politicians who he said were attempting to interfere with the work of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. He urged political leaders to respect the commission's constitutional mandate instead of trying to influence its operations.

The warning comes as political competition begins to intensify across Kenya. Several politicians have already started touring different parts of the country, building alliances and testing their popularity ahead of the presidential and parliamentary contests.

Murkomen wants that competition to remain focused on what politicians intend to offer voters.

His message was straightforward: political leaders should convince Kenyans through ideas, policies and development programmes, rather than relying on crowds that can be turned against their opponents.

There is also growing concern over the role of unemployed young people in political violence. The Catholic Church in Mombasa recently warned young Kenyans against allowing politicians to exploit their economic difficulties by recruiting them into political networks that could eventually draw them into violent confrontations.

With the 2027 election approaching, the concern is that political temperatures could rise long before voters actually go to the ballot.

Kenya has experienced the consequences of election-related violence before, making the warnings from government, religious leaders and other institutions particularly significant.

For now, Murkomen says security agencies are prepared to act against those who cross the line.

The challenge will be ensuring that the warning applies consistently, regardless of which political side is involved, while allowing Kenyans to campaign, assemble and express their political opinions without fear.