NAIROBI, Kenya — A parliamentary committee has raised alarm over the growing use of organised gangs in Kenya’s political landscape, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to national security ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security said the rise of politically linked gangs risks undermining peace, stability, and democratic processes if not urgently addressed.
Speaking during an oversight visit to Sotik Constituency in Bomet County, lawmakers warned that the country could slide into lawlessness if the issue is left unchecked.
The delegation included Dido Ali Rasso, Mburu Kahangara, Peter Kaluma, and Peter Masara.
Rasso, who serves as the committee’s Vice Chairperson, said the issue of marauding gangs has increasingly dominated parliamentary discussions, with such groups targeting leaders, businesspeople, and even security officers.
“The growing influence of political gangs must be stopped before it turns into a full-blown security crisis,” he warned.
His remarks come amid a string of recent incidents linked to political violence, including the attack on Godfrey Osotsi, which has intensified fears of a resurgence of militia-style operations historically associated with election cycles.
Across the country, reports have emerged of hired youth groups disrupting public meetings, intimidating political opponents, and clashing with law enforcement officers.
Over the weekend, suspected gangs blocked sections of the Southern Bypass in Kikuyu, vandalised vehicles, and robbed motorists, while in Kitale, armed groups disrupted a voter registration drive, forcing participants to flee.
Rasso cautioned that informal mobilisation of youth for political purposes can quickly escalate into organised criminal activity.
“When people get used to hiring gangs, today they carry stones and clubs; tomorrow they will carry guns. That is not the direction we want as a country,” he said, urging leaders to rely on formal security structures such as the police and National Government Administration Officers.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen echoed the concerns, blaming political actors for fuelling the trend.
“The greatest threat to national security is leaders in suits who organise young people into goons instead of creating opportunities for them,” Murkomen said.
A report by the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative presented to President William Ruto in December 2025 paints a grim picture, indicating that Nairobi alone has about 130 gangs linked to crimes such as political violence, kidnapping, and murder.
Other counties flagged for widespread gang activity include Kakamega, Bungoma, Kisii, Kisumu, and Homa Bay.
The committee has pledged to prioritise the issue, including proposing legislative measures aimed at curbing the proliferation of gangs and restoring public confidence in the rule of law.
