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Murkomen: Politicians behind surge in criminal gangs
Kenya’s security apparatus is facing a striking paradox.
While it has earned international praise for dismantling criminal gang networks in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, it is struggling to contain a surge in gang activity at home, a crisis that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says is being fuelled by politicians.
Even as the CS made the revelation on Tuesday, he did not explain why some gangs, reportedly operating under police protection, have been used to unleash violence on unarmed civilians.
Goons on Moi Avenue in Nairobi on June 17, 2025 during protests following the death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang.
The contradiction has raised fears that Kenya’s greatest threat to national stability may not be external, but internal driven by political actors across the divide who are allegedly reviving and financing goon squads ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Mr Murkomen disclosed that more than 104 local criminal gangs are active in the country many under the patronage of politicians and n some cases, civil society actors.
“The gangs are owned by political leaders who play a significant role in mobilising people. It is chaotic. An irresponsible leader is a threat to national security,” he said, without naming those responsible.
He also criticised the Judiciary for releasing suspects linked to gang activities arguing that such decisions allow cycles of violence to persist.
“They return to society and the cycle of violence continues,” he said.
Mr Murkomen further revealed that police officers had during Jukwaa la Usalama forums admitted to interference in their work.
“You carry out a serious intervention and the next minute a phone call comes from Nairobi and you are transferred,” he said.
However, members of the committee chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo faulted the CS for failing to decisively deal with the gangs.
Mr Tongoyo compared his performance unfavourably with that of past security chiefs, citing former Internal Security Minister John Michuki, who led a crackdown on the outlawed Mungiki sect.
“With the 2027 elections approaching, the situation is worrying,” he said.
Committee vice-chair Dido Rasso proposed the formation of a special police unit to deal specifically with organised gangs.
“You mentioned politicians. How prepared are we ahead of 2027?” he posed.
Lawmakers also questioned the apparent inaction in high-profile incidents.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi demanded assurances that a planned rally by the Linda Mwananchi faction would not be disrupted by goons, following an incident at Kisumu International Airport where politicians were blocked from accessing a political event.
He also criticised the slow pace of investigations into an attack on Godfrey Osotsi who was assaulted by a group of about 17 individuals at a coffee outlet in Kisumu Coty/.
Mr Murkomen told the committee that some suspects linked to the attack had fled the country.
“The police have been managing this situation for a long time. Gangs are often mobilised by politicians, and once incentivised, they erupt,” he said.
He added that his home county of Elgeyo Marakwet County does not experience gang activity, attributing the problem to leadership failures elsewhere.
The concerns come even as Kenyan police officers return from a high-profile mission in Haiti where they were part of an international effort to stabilise the Caribbean nation following years of gang violence.
Now back home, they face a different challenge of tackling politically linked gangs accused of infiltrating protests and terrorising communities in urban and peri-urban areas.
Mount Elgon MP Fred Kapondi urged the CS to publicly name those financing the gangs.
“Without identifying the sponsors, we are perpetuating the problem,” he said, adding that some police officers could be complicit.
He also criticised the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions accusing it of undermining efforts to combat gang activity.
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya warned that failure to act decisively could worsen the situation ahead of the next election.
“When formal institutions fail to act, gangs take over. Politicians then organise groups for protection when they feel vulnerable,” he said.
The unfolding situation highlights growing concern that political patronage of gangs could escalate into a major security crisis if left unchecked.
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