The Atheists In Kenya Society (AIK) strongly condemns the violence and disruption witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay.
Political differences must never become a justification for violence, intimidation, or the use of hired goons to silence political opponents. Kenya is a constitutional democracy, and every citizen has the right to participate in political activities without fear of physical attack.
Article 36 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees freedom of association, including the right to form, join, or participate in the activities of an association of any kind. Article 37 further guarantees the right to peaceably and unarmedly assemble, demonstrate, picket and petition public authorities.
These constitutional freedoms mean that Kenyans must be free to organize, campaign, attend political rallies and express political opinions without being attacked or intimidated.
AIK is particularly concerned about the growing culture of political goonism in Kenya. Violence at political gatherings should not be treated merely as a confrontation between ordinary supporters. Where there is credible evidence that goons were organized, financed, recruited or deployed by political actors, the investigation must go beyond those found on the ground.
Politicians who sponsor, finance, recruit, facilitate or benefit from political violence must also be investigated and, where evidence supports it, prosecuted. The people who pay or organize violence should not be allowed to hide behind the young people they send into the streets.
We therefore call upon the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct an impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the Homa Bay violence. The investigation should establish not only who committed acts of violence, but also who planned, financed, facilitated or directed them.
- Political violence is not democracy.
- Goonism is not political mobilisation.
- Intimidation is not political competition.
Kenya belongs to all of us. Political leaders must compete through ideas, policies, accountability and persuasion—not through fists, weapons, threats or hired gangs.
The Atheists In Kenya Society stands firmly for freedom of thought, freedom of association, peaceful political participation, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
We demand accountability. We demand justice. We demand an end to political goonism in Kenya.