Kenya political leaders clash over reports of rising gang violence

Political leaders and security officials in Kenya are divided over reports of rising political violence and the use of gangs ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Agnes Kagure, leader of the Kenya Patriots Party (KPP) and Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant, has condemned the escalating use of goons, citing recent chaos in Homa Bay. She called on security agencies to act against those inciting violence and urged politicians to embrace peaceful competition to ensure national stability.

In contrast, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed claims of a national goons crisis, accusing politicians of exaggerating the issue to mask a lack of ideas. He stated that Kenya remains safe and that the perceived crisis is merely a result of politicians sending gangs to fight one another.

Simultaneously, the National Police Service has denied allegations of complicity in political disruptions. Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat stated that no evidence links officers to the protection of criminal gangs at political events, asserting that the police remain non-partisan.