Kenya battles to stop the 'goons and guns' as fears of political violence grow

More than 100 gangs are operating nationwide as the growing use of political thugs raises fears of election violence.

Opposition leaders in Kisii County condemned politically motivated violence disrupting their activities, with accusations against police collaborating with hired gangs to frustrate events.

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit urged the IEBC to curb premature political campaigning, highlighting the threat posed by organized gangs deployed by politicians to intimidate rivals and supporters.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating a campaign of incitement and violence, warning of planned attacks targeting Kikuyu Constituency.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen disclosed the emergence of 'Team Mbogi', a new gang operating in urban and peri-urban areas of Umoja in Nairobi County, involving juveniles aged between 13 and 22 years.

Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria warned that politicians using goons for voter mobilisation risk facing international justice, citing rising by-election violence ahead of Kenya’s 2027 polls.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) held an emergency security summit in Kakamega to address rising gang violence and political hooliganism in Western Kenya.

More than 100 gangs are operating nationwide as the growing use of political thugs raises fears of election violence.