NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya recorded 845 mob justice incidents between January 2025 and early 2026, leaving 579 people dead and hundreds injured, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed.
Speaking before the Senate in response to a question by Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda, Murkomen described the situation as “deeply troubling”, warning that mob violence is steadily eroding public confidence in the rule of law.
Data presented to the House shows that Nairobi (85 cases) and Kiambu (90 cases) top the list of counties with the highest reported incidents.
They are followed by Embu (51) and Kisumu (45). In total, 266 people were injured in the attacks.
Murkomen said mob justice is often fuelled by frustration over delayed court processes, public mistrust in the criminal justice system, social media incitement, drug abuse and youth unemployment.
“These actions are illegal and undermine constitutional order,” he told senators, adding that the government would not tolerate lawlessness disguised as community justice.
–Government Response–
The CS outlined a raft of measures aimed at containing the crisis.
These include faster police response through standby emergency teams, enhanced intelligence gathering by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and improved coordination under the Integrated Command, Control and Communication (IC3) framework.
He said toll-free reporting lines, including the Fichua kwa DCI hotline (0800 722 203), have been strengthened to encourage the public to report suspected criminals instead of resorting to violence.
Murkomen also pointed to ongoing reforms within the police service, including training on human rights, evidence preservation, and crowd control, as well as tighter collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to secure convictions in mob justice cases.
–Restoring Trust–
Senator Ojienda had raised concerns that weak investigations and perceived corruption are pushing citizens to take matters into their own hands.
In response, Murkomen said accountability mechanisms such as the Internal Affairs Unit and Police Quality Assurance Department are being strengthened to address complaints against officers.
He added that chiefs, assistant chiefs and Nyumba Kumi structures have been tasked with intensifying public awareness campaigns against mob violence.
“Justice must be served in courtrooms, not in the streets,” Murkomen said.
The revelations come amid growing public debate over rising insecurity and the slow pace of criminal trials, with lawmakers now calling for a multi-sector approach to restore faith in Kenya’s justice system.
