Inside the return of militias, political violence

State sponsored goons along Koinange street during Justice For Albert Ojwang Protests on June 17, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

The camaraderie of police officers and goons terrorising unarmed civilians while picketing has rekindled chilling memories of the pain inflicted by militias in the recent past formed by politicians to torment their opponents.

There are numerous abandoned gangs and out of luck and idle members, discarded by their patrons after outliving their usefulness. Such groups include the proscribed Mungiki sect that reigned terror in Mt Kenya, Nairobi business community in Nairobi, Sungusungu and Chinkororo, in Kisii.