NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo has called for urgent action to dismantle political militias and curb the proliferation of illegal weapons, arguing that the recent armed robbery at a restaurant in Nairobi’s Westlands reflects the long-term consequences of political violence.
In a statement issued on Monday, Odhiambo said the robbery should not be viewed as an isolated criminal incident but as evidence of a broader national security challenge stemming from the alleged use of armed youth and hired gangs during political activities.
“Armed robbery in a Westlands restaurant is not an isolated crime story but the logical outcome of years of normalising goons and weapons at political rallies,” she said.
Warning over political violence
Odhiambo argued that once young people are armed for political purposes, the weapons eventually spread beyond campaign events and into communities, fuelling organised crime and insecurity.
“Once you arm young people for politics, those guns and crude weapons don’t remain at the rally. They migrate into our streets, churches, restaurants and estates, turning every space into a potential battlefield for hired violence and organised crime,” she said.
She warned that Kenya risks repeating past cycles in which political actors allegedly relied on gangs to pursue political interests, only for those groups to become entrenched criminal networks that later threatened public safety.
Calls for accountability
Odhiambo said the growing trend poses a direct threat to constitutional rights, including the right to security of the person and the freedom to participate—or not participate—in political activities without intimidation or violence.
She called on the government to dismantle political militias, recover illegal firearms and other weapons, and prosecute leaders found to be recruiting or mobilising youth for violent political activities.
“I add my voice to demand that the State decisively dismantle political goonism, disarm militias and hold to account any leaders who mobilise youth for violence instead of ideas,” she said.
Growing security concerns
Odhiambo further warned that rising armed criminality threatens all Kenyans regardless of political affiliation, economic status or place of residence, urging citizens to reject violence and support efforts to restore public safety.
Her remarks come amid heightened public concern over incidents of violent crime and allegations of politically sponsored violence in different parts of the country.