Kenya: State Under Pressure Over Rising Goon Violence As Armed Attacks Fuel Election Fears
Police said one person died and eight suspects were arrested as armed groups disrupted political events and deepened fears of election-era impunity.
- On Sunday, armed groups disrupted a church service in Kisumu and a political rally in Nyahururu, leaving one person dead and several injured, the National Police Service reported.
- These violent incidents revive concerns over 'goonism,' where politicians hire armed youth to disrupt opponents, a practice analysts say is deeply entrenched across the political spectrum.
- Nairobi-Based research firm Odipo Dev revealed a goon rate card ranging from $4 to 1,000 shillings, illustrating how poverty in informal settlements like Kibera drives youth recruitment.
- Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna condemned the violence, alleging state orchestration, while NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga promised impartial enforcement regardless of political affiliation.
- With campaigns intensifying ahead of the next General Election, rights group Vocal Africa and Hussein Khalid warn that failure to curb this violence threatens the integrity of 2027 polls.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Kenya's goons: a world of political violence and desperation
So-called "goons" are increasingly being hired, dozens or even hundreds at a time, to break up the rallies of political opponents and protesters, and attack civil rights groups -- with police often turning a blind eye. A recent study by Nairobi-based research firm Odipo Dev revealed a goons rate card, ranging from 500 shillings ($4) to work for a local councillor to as much as 1,000 shillings for members of parliament. Marius, 27, one of five go…
Kenya: State Under Pressure Over Rising Goon Violence As Armed Attacks Fuel Election Fears
Nairobi -- The government is facing mounting pressure over what critics describe as a failure to decisively crack down on organized political violence, after armed groups disrupted political activities in Kisumu and Nyahururu over the weekend, deepening concerns that Kenya could be sliding toward a dangerous election-era culture of impunity.
Political violence erupts in Kenya
from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya Kenya Bureau NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – DEADLY violence has erupted in Kenya, a development that jeopardises prospects for credible elections in 2027. The violence peaked this past weekend in the city of Kisumu and the town of Nyahururu, where rival political groups clashed. Preliminary investigations indicate that, in Kisumu, […] The post Political violence erupts in Kenya first appeared on CAJ News Africa.
Police warn gangs, hooligans as 14 arraigned over Kisumu and Nyahururu violence
The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a stern warning against violence, hooliganism, and political thuggery. This comes as 14 suspects, arrested in connection with Sunday’s unrest in Kisumu and Nyahururu, have been brought before the courts. In a statement released on Monday, the Service confirmed that the suspects face various charges related to violent incidents that disrupted public order in both towns. “The National Police Service wil…
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