Concerns over the growing use of hired gangs in Kenya’s political and social landscape took centre stage Thursday night, as Citizen TV journalists Jamila Mohamed, Sam Gituku, and Yvonne Okwara warned of a deepening crisis with far-reaching security implications.
Speaking during the News Gang programme, the three journalists painted a troubling picture of what they described as a long-standing nexus between politics and organised violence.
Their remarks come amid increasing reports of attacks allegedly linked to politically motivated groups, raising fresh questions about public safety and accountability.
Jamila Mohamed pointed to a historical pattern in Kenya where criminal gangs are mobilised during political periods to intimidate opponents.
However, she warned that the problem does not end with elections.
“This link between politics and goonism is troubling,” she said, noting that such groups often evolve into independent criminal enterprises. According to her, once activated, these gangs do not simply dissolve but instead become a permanent threat to ordinary citizens.
Her remarks underscore growing fears that politically sponsored violence is morphing into a broader law-and-order crisis, with long-term consequences beyond electoral cycles.
Sam Gituku, on his part, questioned the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, particularly in handling recent incidents of public violence.
He cited a case in Kisumu where an individual was attacked at a restaurant, with the incident reportedly captured on CCTV.
Gituku expressed concern over delays in investigations and the apparent inability to apprehend suspects, despite the availability of evidence and witnesses.
He questioned how individuals linked to such incidents could reportedly leave the country without detection.
“I don’t know what the police are doing,” he said, raising concerns about the safety of both citizens and political actors. He further posed critical questions about who is responsible for ensuring security, especially for lesser-known politicians who may lack extensive protection.
The journalist warned that if high-profile figures can be targeted, then the risk to ordinary Kenyans and smaller political players could be significantly higher.
Yvonne Okwara echoed similar concerns, focusing on what she described as selective enforcement of the law.
She argued that Kenyan authorities have demonstrated the ability to track down individuals when they choose to, suggesting that failure to act decisively against goonism may point to deeper systemic issues.
“We all know that in this country, if the police want to find you, they will find you,” she said.
Okwara cautioned that normalising the use of hired gangs could open the door to widespread abuse, where individuals begin to use goons to settle personal disputes beyond politics.
The journalists’ remarks highlight mounting pressure on security agencies to address the issue decisively, amid fears that unchecked goonism could erode public trust in institutions and undermine the rule of law.
Their comments add to a growing national conversation about the role of political actors, the effectiveness of policing, and the urgent need for reforms to curb organised violence in Kenya.