Former Law Society of Kenya Chair Faith Odhiambo has called for an independent investigation into political violence in Kenya, warning that denying the existence of a “goons crisis” ignores the experiences of citizens and risks undermining preparations for peaceful elections in 2027.
Her remarks come after Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed claims that Kenya is facing a “goons crisis”, saying the country is safe and accusing politicians of exaggerating insecurity. Murkomen has, however, previously warned against political goonism and called for those sponsoring violence to be held accountable.
The contrasting positions follow recent disruptions of political meetings, including the violence witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi tour in Homa Bay.
Taking to her X account on Monday, Odhiambo said authorities should investigate how groups involved in political violence are identified, mobilised and financed, and establish whether individuals or institutions provide them with protection.
“The claim that the country is not facing a goons crisis is not merely a semantic disagreement but a denial of citizens' lived reality. When violence is organised, politically enabled, selectively deployed or tolerated by institutions, calling it goons does not make it less of a public-order and constitutional crisis.”
She said the debate should focus less on why political actors visit areas where violence has occurred and more on whether citizens can exercise their constitutional rights without fear of attack.
“The more important question is not why opposition actors went where violence occurred. It is why citizens must calculate the risk of exercising their constitutional rights based on the anticipated presence of organised violence,” she said.
Odhiambo’s concerns come against a backdrop of documented cases of political violence and alleged hired gangs during protests and electoral campaigns.
In June 2025, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that masked groups described as hired goons had infiltrated protests in Nairobi and other areas.
The commission said gangs on motorbikes used tyre whips, wooden bars and other crude weapons to attack protesters and civilians.
During the Saba Saba demonstrations in July 2025, KNCHR reported 31 deaths, 107 injuries, two enforced disappearances and 532 arrests by July 8.
Four days later, the commission said the death toll had risen to 38, with at least 130 people still receiving treatment or nursing injuries. It said 14 of 15 post-mortems conducted at that point had established gunshot injuries as the cause of death.
The problem has also featured in electoral contests.
During the 2025 by-elections, KNCHR documented three deaths linked to campaign-related incidents, including one death during a rally disrupted by alleged hired goons in Kabuchai and two deaths following clashes between rival supporters in Kasipul.
More recently, the commission raised concerns over political violence during the 2026 Ol Kalou by-election campaigns.
It cited reports from the electoral commission of violence, intimidation, destruction of property, voter bribery and campaigning outside permitted hours, including the loss of one life.
Odhiambo said accountability should extend beyond people seen carrying out attacks to those who organise, finance or enable them.
“Kenya does not need euphemisms or competing narratives. It needs an independent investigation into the identity, mobilisation, financing and protection of individuals involved in political violence and accountability that reaches beyond the visible foot soldiers.”
She argued that security agencies should be capable of identifying perpetrators of political violence just as they identify people taking part in peaceful demonstrations.
“A state that knows how to identify peaceful protesters should also know how to identify those who attack them,” she posted.
Odhiambo also rejected approaches that place responsibility for preventing violence on citizens, saying the state has a duty to protect constitutional freedoms.
“Public safety is not achieved by warning citizens to avoid places where violence may occur. It is achieved by preventing the violence, protecting the right to participate in public affairs, and ensuring that no political actor or security institution operates above the law,” she said.
She further called for women’s safety and political participation to be incorporated into preparations for the 2027 election, arguing that women should be recognised as political actors rather than merely victims of election-related violence.
“Women are political actors. We vote, organise, lead, advocate, mobilise and shape the political choices that determine our country’s direction.”
Her comments come as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, with recent incidents reinforcing concerns over political violence, intimidation and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights.