KNCHR exposes human rights abuses before, during and after by-elections
By Mabonga Makhanu, December 11, 2025The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has stated that there was a great violation of human rights in the recently concluded by-elections, which took place in various areas.
In a statement shared by the Commission on Thursday, December 11, 2025, the agency outlined numerous abuses that occurred before, during, and after the mini-polls.
According to the Commission, the by-elections held on November 27, 2025, took place amid highly contested campaigns marked by intense rivalry among political actors.
KNCHR noted that the tense political atmosphere resulted in several incidents of gross violations of human rights across the affected constituencies and wards, where its teams had been deployed to monitor compliance with human rights standards.
The Commission reported that three deaths were recorded during the campaign period.
A man aged over 70 years died during a stampede in Kabuchai Ward on November 23 after a rally was disrupted by alleged hired goons, while two more people were killed in Kasipul Constituency on November 6 following clashes between rival supporters.
KNCHR called on the police to conduct thorough, impartial investigations to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Property destruction
The statement also highlighted several instances where the right to property was violated.
Among the incidents documented were the vandalism of Marina Resort on November 3, an attack on the home of Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga on November 22, and an assault on Down Hill Springs Hotel on November 26, during which vehicles belonging to DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako were damaged.
The Commission indicated that more reports of property destruction were still under verification.
Cases of torture, inhuman treatment, and intimidation were also recorded. KNCHR officials interviewed more than ten people admitted at Webuye Hospital after they were injured in an attack on a hotel associated with Seth Panyako in Malava.
Violence during by-elections
In Homa Bay, MP Peter Kaluma was attacked at Agoro Sare Primary polling station, while in Mbeere North, former Attorney General Justin Muturi was captured on camera assaulting a man at a polling centre.
Another incident occurred at Kanyuabora Primary School, where three people were bruised, and their clothes were torn by individuals accompanying a cabinet secretary.
The Commission further documented widespread election-related violence. In Malava, a man was stripped naked and badly beaten on November 28 for allegedly attempting to manipulate the tallying process.
They noted also On polling day, a middle-aged man was attacked with a machete near Chwele AIC Church, while another sustained serious head injuries outside Kathese polling station in Mumbuni North.
Violence also broke out during a Thanksgiving service in Kariobangi North on November 30, leaving one person with bullet wounds after rival youth groups clashed.
This comes after united opposition released a statement slamming the IEBC chair, Erastus Ethekon, for saying that it’s impossible to steal elections