Activist Kimutai Kirui Warns of Rising “Goons Culture” and Demand End to Political Violence

 Human rights defenders and civil society actors in Uasin Gishu County have issued a strong condemnation of what they describe as an escalating “goons culture” in Kenyan politics, warning that the practice is undermining democracy, public safety, and institutional trust.

The remarks were made during a media briefing in Eldoret, where activists called for urgent reforms and greater accountability from political leaders accused of facilitating or tolerating violence during political and public engagements.

Leading the condemnation, Kimutai Kirui, Executive Director of the Centre Against Torture, said he was speaking from Eldoret to denounce the increasing use of organized groups to disrupt political gatherings not only in the region but also in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

He accused some elected leaders—particularly governors and Members of Parliament—of allegedly recruiting, financing, and encouraging groups of goons to intimidate opponents during empowerment forums, political meetings, and public functions.

Kirui stated that such incidents have repeatedly been witnessed in Eldoret, where political gatherings and even civic events have reportedly been disrupted by groups linked to influential leaders.

He further criticized what he termed as “political intrusion into functions,” arguing that leaders who are not invited to official events should not resort to force or intimidation when excluded.

Kirui cited alleged incidents where political rivalry escalated into confrontation at public events, including claims that a county governor allegedly deployed goons to disrupt a Women Representative’s development program under national government initiatives.

He condemned such actions as unacceptable, questioning why leaders could not attend or respond to rival programs peacefully and constructively instead of allegedly using intimidation tactics.

“Goons will not help anything in this country,” he emphasized, calling for an immediate end to politically motivated violence and disruption of public gatherings.

Kirui also expanded his criticism to what he described as worrying inconsistencies in government communication and policy direction within the national executive, particularly between the Presidency and the Ministry of Interior.

He argued that both offices form the core of the executive authority and should therefore communicate in a unified and coordinated manner.

According to Kirui, confusion arises when directives from the President are later interpreted differently or moderated by other senior officials, leading to mixed signals in implementation.

He referenced a recent end-of-year address (2025–2026) delivered in Eldoret in which President William Ruto reportedly directed a crackdown on ethanol, second-generation alcohol, and narcotics, calling for their eradication as part of efforts to protect youth and strengthen the economy.

However, Kirui claimed that shortly after this directive, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, issued remarks suggesting a more limited enforcement approach, including distinctions between licensed and unlicensed outlets.

Kirui questioned this position, arguing that illegal or harmful alcohol products often operate within licensed premises, making partial enforcement ineffective.

He insisted that Cabinet Secretaries are bound to implement presidential directives without contradiction, emphasizing that the Interior docket must fully align with the Head of State’s instructions.

He further criticized what he termed repeated contradictions in the government’s approach to tackling organized criminal groups, commonly referred to as goons.

Kirui referenced recent remarks where the Interior CS reportedly cited historical examples of violent groups from other countries in discussing the persistence of such networks.

He dismissed this justification, insisting that the existence of historical or international examples should not prevent decisive action in Kenya.

According to him, the President had already issued clear instructions that goon networks must be dismantled, and all security agencies must act accordingly.

Kirui also alleged that some leaders are using their positions within government to build personal political influence ahead of future elections, cautioning that such behavior risks undermining national cohesion.

He warned that if insecurity and political intimidation are not addressed, regions such as the Rift Valley could experience increased resistance and public distrust toward leadership.

Despite his criticism, Kirui clarified that civil society supports the government’s broader development agenda, including security reforms and economic programs, but insisted that these must be implemented without contradiction or political manipulation.

“We are supporting the President 100% in his development agenda, including security reforms and health programs,” he said, while maintaining that internal contradictions must be addressed for effective governance.

He concluded by urging leaders to focus on service delivery rather than political competition disguised as empowerment activities, stating that public offices must not be used to build personal political networks.

Also speaking during the briefing, Benson Juma Akumu, a human rights activist from Uasin Gishu working with the Illinois Social Justice Center, strongly condemned what he termed “gunism” and politically motivated violence.

Akumu said the rise of organized groups used to disrupt political meetings represents a dangerous trend that threatens democratic space and erodes public confidence in leadership.

He emphasized that violence will never replace democracy and warned politicians that intimidation tactics cannot translate into electoral success.

According to him, the continued use of such groups risks plunging the country into instability and undermining long-term development.

Akumu also noted what he described as a worrying trend of “two centers of power,” suggesting that conflicting political messaging from different state actors is contributing to confusion in governance and security enforcement.

He called on leaders to respect democratic processes, uphold the rule of law, and avoid using violence or intimidation as a political tool.

Civil society groups concluded the briefing by urging security agencies to take firm action against those involved in organizing or financing violent groups and to ensure accountability regardless of political affiliation.

They further called for improved coordination within government institutions to ensure consistent communication and effective implementation of national security directives.

The statement adds to growing national debate over political conduct, internal security coordination, and the role of leadership in preventing politically linked violence ahead of future political activities in the country.