U.S. Opens Multi-Million Grant to Train Kenyan Security Officers in Crowd Management Ahead of 2027 Elections
The United States has launched a multi-million shilling grant programme aimed at strengthening crowd management and less-than-lethal policing skills among Kenyan security officers, as the country heads toward the politically charged 2027 General Election.
The funding opportunity, announced by the U.S. Department of State under its Transnational Crime Programme, invites eligible organisations to apply for grants ranging from approximately Ksh65 million to Ksh207 million to implement specialised training on crowd control and less-than-lethal riot response techniques in Kenya.
According to the funding notice, the selected organisation will work under a cooperative agreement to equip Kenyan security personnel with modern crowd management strategies designed to improve public order operations while minimising the use of excessive force. Applications for the programme close on September 10, 2026.
Although the U.S. government does not explicitly link the initiative to Kenya’s 2027 General Election, the timing has drawn attention as the country prepares for what is expected to be a highly competitive political contest following years of recurrent protests and public unrest.
Kenya has experienced sustained waves of demonstrations since 2024, with citizens taking to the streets over the rising cost of living, controversial tax measures, allegations of corruption, unemployment and opposition to various government policies. Several of the protests escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and security officers, resulting in deaths, injuries and widespread property destruction.
The grant announcement also comes against the backdrop of growing scrutiny over how public demonstrations are policed.
A recent report by Amnesty International Kenya and Odipodev identified Nairobi as Kenya’s leading protest hotspot, recording 289 protests between 2020 and 2025. The report further documented 138 protest-related deaths across the country during the same period, underscoring mounting concerns over the management of public assemblies.
Researchers attributed most demonstrations to major national issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, election-related disputes, rising cases of femicide, controversial national budgets and broader socio-economic challenges.
Beyond Nairobi, the report identified Nakuru, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Kisumu, Kisii and Machakos among counties that have experienced frequent public protests in recent years.
The U.S.-funded programme also comes as analysts and election observers continue warning about the possibility of election-related violence if existing political tensions are not adequately addressed before the 2027 polls.
Security experts have additionally expressed concern over the increasing involvement of organised groups, commonly referred to as “goons,” during political rallies and demonstrations. Analysts warn that unless effectively contained, such groups could become more organised and pose a greater threat to public security as election campaigns intensify.
Those concerns resurfaced during the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where allegations emerged that organised groups had been mobilised during campaign activities, reigniting debate over political violence and the preparedness of security agencies ahead of the next General Election.
Under the programme, organisations selected through the competitive grant process will be tasked with designing and delivering specialised training focused on crowd management, de-escalation tactics and less-than-lethal policing methods intended to enhance public safety while protecting fundamental rights during public assemblies.
The initiative forms part of broader U.S. efforts to support security sector capacity-building in partner countries while promoting professional law enforcement practices in managing public demonstrations.
Also Read: Mt Kenya Could Support Opposition Without Regional Candidate in 2027, Says Njeri Maina