The growing presence of political goons in Kenya is rooted in political financing and worsening economic conditions, with law enforcement alone unable to solve what has become an emerging political subculture, according to Interparties Youth Forum Convener Kidi Mwaga.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Tuesday, Mwaga argued that the country must move beyond viewing the problem solely as a policing issue and instead address the political and economic forces driving young people into organised violence.
Mwaga cited remarks made by former Law Society of Kenya president, Faith Odhiambo, during a television interview, saying she had accurately described the emerging "goon subculture" as both a supply-side and demand-side problem rooted in political financing.
"I love what she said about the emerging goon subculture," he said. "She said that goons is not only a supply side issue, but it is also a demand side issue, which finds itself at the center of political financing."
According to Mwaga, politicians have for years used young people to achieve political objectives, creating a system that rewards violence and intimidation during political activities.
"So young people have constantly been used by politicians to do certain things or to achieve certain ends politically," he said. "Where it is convenient, we have wanted to quickly call it a policing issue."
While acknowledging the role of security agencies in maintaining law and order, Mwaga maintained that policing alone cannot address the underlying causes of political violence.
"From where I sit, I think that it is a political issue and also an economic issue," he said. "The driver of radicalization, polarization and political extremism is an economic issue."
He argued that many educated young Kenyans face shrinking opportunities despite their aspirations for upward social mobility, making them vulnerable to recruitment into violent political groups.
"You have got so many young people who have gone to school, who have got high ambition... but then you are confronted with very diminishing opportunities," he said.
Mwaga warned that some educated youth are becoming organisers of political violence because they see it as a pathway to economic gain.
He called for sustained investment in economic opportunities and reforms that reduce young people's vulnerability to radicalisation, extremism and politically sponsored violence.