Democracy held hostage by hired hooligans ahead of 2027 elections

Chaos erupted at Sajironi Kajiado county yesterday during a disputed meeting where Narok Senator Lendama Ole Kiina was a guest. Kajiado Senator Seki Kanar was denied entry to the meeting. [PETERSON GITHAIGA, STANDARD]

They are the errand boys of politicians-mean, efficient, muscular and merciless in the murky underworld of political hooliganism and gangland intimidation.

Some wear sleek dark suits, dark glasses and carry walkie-talkies, projecting the image of professional security operatives. Others don jungle attires, while many simply wear tight-fitting clothes that flaunt their bulging biceps.

As the 2027 General Election nears, politicians are once again scrambling to recruit these enforcers-not just for protection, but to harass and attack their opponents.

In this violent political underworld, the stronger, meaner and more ruthless one is, the more valuable they become.

These gangs increasingly take over the role of police, offering their "services" to politicians who have normalised goons as a key part of Kenya's political machinery.

Many of these men, who spend their free days at the gym to bulk up, told The Standard that politicians willingly spend large sums to secure their loyalty.

They are the first to disrupt meetings, topple ballot boxes and unleash violence-dutifully following orders from their political patrons.

Interviews with concerned citizens reveal deep unease at the growing role of hooliganism and organised gangs in politics.

"It is worrying that instead of addressing unemployment among the youth, politicians prefer to have them in their entourage to boo opponents and hurt innocent Kenyans," says Fred Mugambi, a resident of Trans Nzoia.

Even more alarming is that these gangs often operate in full view of police officers-unhindered-as they attack, maim and target political rivals.

Each region has its own variation of these gangs, typically led by individuals with direct ties to influential politicians.

So when hired thugs attempted to disrupt the recent launch of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's new party in Nairobi, very few Kenyans were surprised. The culture of political violence is by now deeply embedded.

During the melee, several journalists were assaulted and forced to delete footage they had recorded of plainclothes security personnel brandishing firearms and firing into the crowd. Gachagua was then whisked into the party office.

It was one of many recent incidents of political thuggery and rising intolerance amid shifting coalition dynamics.

From Nyanza to Western Kenya, Mt Kenya to the Rift Valley, almost every political leader has recruited gangs. Some call them "bees"; others refer to them as "dogs".

Within some county governments, these gangs have been formalised as County Enforcement Officers. Residents, however, describe them as goons in uniform-quick to heckle critics, attack dissenters and shield governors from public scrutiny.

Rising intolerance

In Kakamega County, Matungu, Mumias, and Kakamega town remain hot spots for these acts.

On a recent talk show on local television, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen raised the alarm over rising hooliganism, vowing to dismantle the networks. He cited Mumias and Matungu as notorious for hooliganism.

In February, a gang known as Stendi Chan'gaa-formed specifically to disrupt funerals-attacked mourners in Matungu during the burial of the late Senior Chief Agostino Odongo.

Governor Fernandes Barasa had just arrived, flanked by county officials and isukuti dancers, when his entourage was attacked by rowdy youths. Youths threw chairs, smashed tents and scattered the mourners, denying both family and politicians the chance to speak.

These scenarios are increasingly common. Politicians routinely attend public events surrounded by rowdy gangs who cling to their vehicles or sprint beside their motorcades.

Elijah Mukavane, former chairman of the Kakamega Bouncers' Association, explained the demand: "Politicians like goons because they act as security, inflate crowd size, and fight when necessary."

He added that payment ranges from Sh1,500 to Sh2,500, depending on the assignment. Politicians facing a hostile crowd pay more-often with explicit orders to disrupt rivals' speeches.

In Nyanza, politicians and even high-ranking officials employ goons, commonly referred to as Sangwenyas. These gangs are so entrenched that some camp at Kisumu International Airport every Friday to wait for "Waheshimiwa" arriving from Nairobi ahead of weekend activities.

Politicians unwilling to part with handouts are heckled. Others openly embrace the Sangwenyas as part of their protection.

A former American Marine-turned-gang member in Kisumu revealed that politicians frequently ferry them to South Nyanza and Siaya for funeral assignments.

"It is normal. They always ferry us to South Nyanza and even Siaya during weekends whenever they are attending high-stakes burials," said the source.

"The issue of goons in Nyanza is something that needs to be addressed. It is annoying and it is the reason we are experiencing violence in most burials," said Joseph Ochieng, a resident of Homa Bay.

He added, "In almost every major burial, politicians arrive flanked by musclemen who intimidate mourners, eject critics and prevent opponents from speaking," said Joseph Ochieng of Homa Bay.

Before his death, Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were had complained of being targeted by imported gangs hired by rivals.

"There is a man who is fond of hiring the goons from Kisii, Nairobi, Ndhiwa, Karachuonyo and Homa Bay Town to cause violence in Kasipul. None of the goons is a resident of this constituency," Were told journalists at a past interview.

However, he is also believed to be one of the politicians who relied on the goons to push his political interests. He always travelled with a group of young, energetic men to provide him with security, who he referred to them as bees.

Deeply entrenched

In Migori and Homa Bay, the Sangwenya model is deeply entrenched, with nearly all leaders surrounded by gang members.

In April, spates of attacks were witnessed across the region as ODM's grassroots elections deteriorated into violence as politicians unleashed goons against their opponents.

Two governors in the region are known to favour such groups and are rarely seen without their intimidating entourages.

The Rift Valley has also seen its fair share of politically driven violence. In February, a fundraiser-cum-political rally was disrupted by clashes between supporters of Soy MP David Kiplagat and those backing Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and Governor Jonathan Bii.

The meeting was attended by governors, Bii (Uasin Gishu), Wesley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet), and West Pokot's Simon Kachapin and MPs Didimus Barasa of Kimilili, Eric Wamumbi (Mathira) and Joseph Wainaina (nominated).

The event, held just opposite Moi's Bridge Police Station, descended into chaos before officers finally restored order.

Trouble started after Kiplagat told Sudi to stop dictating proceedings in an event happening in his constituency.

Kiplagat likened Sudi to a man who inherits the wife of a neighbour who is still alive.

"As leaders we have to respect one another. You can't inherit the wife of your neighbour and go ahead to impregnate her when you know that he is still alive," Kiplagat told his Kapseret counterpart.

He went on to say: "Even when you don't like my face, the people of Soy elected me and gave me the mandate to serve them from 2022 to 2027."

Sudi said attempts to disrupt the meeting at Moi's Bridge were uncalled for and described the act as "foolishness."

"All leaders are free to hold events everywhere in Kenya. You (Kiplagat) can't stop us from holding events. You should also know that other leaders can ferry goons," Sudi said.

According to Strategic and Political Communications Consultant Barrack Muluka, the rise of hooliganism is an insult to democracy.

"What we are seeing is political intolerance where some people do not want others to organise and sell their agenda; they are using goons to intimidate opponents. Politics is perception, and this is what makes some politicians use goons to disrupt their opponents, not to sell their message peacefully," said Dr. Muluka.

Dr Muluka added that State-sponsored hooliganism is just as worrying, especially when the police are deployed to suppress peaceful protests.

[Report by Harold Odhiambo, Benard Lusigi, Brian Kisanji and Stephen Rutto]