Kenya’s political scene has been rocked by a series of controversies, raising serious questions about the country’s foreign policy direction and the integrity of its domestic electoral processes. As the nation prepared for the Malava by-elections on November 27, 2025, claims of political intimidation, concerns over citizen protection abroad, and accusations of self-serving leadership have dominated headlines and public discourse.
Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni delivered a scathing critique of President William Ruto’s stewardship of Kenya’s foreign policy, warning that the country’s once-proud reputation as a bastion of peace in a volatile region is rapidly eroding. In a televised interview on November 26, 2025, Omogeni did not mince words: “Kenya’s foreign policy is on a free fall. We have lost our standing as an island of peace within a perilous neighborhood. What we have is a one-man show in President Ruto, who does not pay attention to any advice of professionals,” he said, as quoted by People Daily.
Omogeni’s criticism extended beyond the president himself, implicating high-ranking officials in the government. He alleged that these individuals have been striking deals with regional neighbors, not in the national interest, but for their own financial gain. “All these deals you hear about neighbouring countries and our decisions as a country are all tied to some business interests or connections of personal benefit and enrichment of the individuals in government,” Omogeni asserted, suggesting that Kenya’s foreign relations are being shaped by personal greed rather than professional diplomacy.
The senator’s remarks come at a time when the government’s response to the plight of Kenyan citizens abroad has come under intense scrutiny. The recent detention of two Kenyan human rights and political activists, Nelson Oyoo and Bob Njagi, in Uganda, and the government’s perceived sluggish intervention, sparked public outrage. The two activists were freed after spending 38 days in military detention—a development that many Kenyans found deeply troubling.
Former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi joined the chorus of criticism, focusing his ire on Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi. On November 11, 2025, Havi reminded the government that citizenship is not a privilege to be dispensed at will, but a constitutional right. “The cabinet secretary for foreign affairs should understand that the right to be a Kenyan is given by birth and constitution, and it’s not a favour. He has overstayed his work,” Havi declared, according to People Daily.
Omogeni, for his part, issued a stern warning to President Ruto: “Ruto has not listened to anybody. It all goes back to him, and we are not saying this because we are politicians; unless he gets it right, he will leave this country in a worse place. That is the brutal reality, which should be a wake-up call for him.” The senator’s words reflect a growing sense of urgency among critics who believe that Kenya’s international standing is in jeopardy and that decisive action is needed to restore credibility.
Meanwhile, on the domestic front, the lead-up to the Malava by-elections was marked by allegations of political intimidation and concerns over the impartiality of state security apparatus. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who also serves as the Senate Majority Whip, claimed on November 26, 2025, that his official security detail was withdrawn without warning, just hours before the crucial vote. Khalwale attributed this move to his decision to back an opposition candidate in the Malava contest.
In a video message shared on social media, Khalwale remained composed but resolute: “Our citizens are ready to exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation. Even though my security detail was unexpectedly withdrawn, I still believe that Malava will come through with a strong victory.” He urged state agencies to ensure that the by-elections were conducted peacefully and transparently, cautioning authorities not to “resort to desperate measures.”
Khalwale further alleged that the security detail of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had also been withdrawn. Expressing frustration, he asked, “I have been given six police officers as per my office. Where are they? What are you planning to do?” He also warned against the importation of young people from outside Kakamega for the elections, suggesting that such actions could inadvertently put them in harm’s way. “We are not violent people. If there are any incidences of violence, it’s because we are refusing to be intimidated in front of our wives and children,” Khalwale insisted.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, however, dismissed any suggestion that the security withdrawals were politically motivated. Addressing the press in Kasipul on November 26, Murkomen stated that the National Police Service (NPS) had ordered the withdrawals based on concerns over the conduct of officers assigned to certain VIPs. “Any security measure taken by the National Police Service is to avoid crisis. If a police officer attached to a VIP is walking and working with goons, the best thing is to remove them,” Murkomen explained, as reported by Radio Africa.
Murkomen further emphasized that the withdrawals were temporary, pending investigations into both the officers and the VIPs they were assigned to protect. “In any case, there is no boss tomorrow. The people are the bosses, and they are going to elect their boss,” he said, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring voters are not intimidated during the electoral process. Murkomen assured the public that security officers deployed to polling areas would focus on maintaining peace and order, and that any actions taken against individuals causing disruptions were intended solely to uphold a safe environment for voters.
The developments surrounding the Malava by-elections have intensified the national conversation about the role of state institutions in safeguarding democracy. Khalwale’s experience, coupled with the broader concerns about foreign policy and citizen protection abroad, paints a picture of a country at a crossroads—one where the actions of those in power are being scrutinized more closely than ever before.
As Kenyans head to the polls and look outward to their nation’s place in the world, the calls for greater accountability, transparency, and respect for constitutional rights grow louder. The coming weeks may well determine whether these demands are heeded or whether the criticisms voiced by leaders like Omogeni and Khalwale become harbingers of deeper challenges ahead.
