One moment you’re accused, the next you’re gone—no judge, no jury, just the wrath of an angry crowd. Mob justice in Kenya has long been a brutal reality, a fast and fatal response to crime fueled by public frustration with the legal system. But a new initiative is fighting back. Rights in Action Coalition (RIACO) officially launched its campaign against mob justice on April 4, 2025, in Kisumu.
The organization, dedicated to promoting human rights and legal reform, was unveiled at Jumuia Hotel in an event attended by government officials, law enforcement, and community leaders.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo acknowledged the grim reality “Sometimes the citizens take law into their own hands,” he admitted, emphasizing the urgent need to restore faith in the justice system.
On the other hand, RIACO CEO Edgar Abuto outlined the organization’s mission to confront this head-on.
“At the moment, we are starting from Kisumu, but we plan to expand to other parts of the country,” Abuto stated.
“Anyone can be a victim of mob justice. My prayer is to bring this discussion into the light and ensure we bring an end to mob justice,” he added.
Community Involvement Key to Ending Mob Violence
One of the most notorious contributors to mob justice incidents has been the boda boda sector, where instant street verdicts often result in fatal beatings of suspected criminals.
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However, the Kisumu boda boda chairman, Jacob Ogambo, pledged his sector’s commitment to change.
“We are going to preach the gospel to end mob justice in Kenya,” Ogambo said. “We have educated our boda boda riders to ensure that they don’t take the law into their own hands.”
RIACO’s campaign aims to tackle the issue from all angles—community education, policy reform, and improved trust in law enforcement.
At the launch event, legal experts, activists, and police officials discussed the next steps in ensuring that justice is fair, accessible, and swift—without resorting to street executions.
“Together, we will build a society where justice prevails over vengeance, law over mob rule, and humanity over fear,” Abuto declared.
The Mob Justice Crisis in Kenya
Mob justice has become a disturbing norm in Kenya, particularly in areas where trust in the police and courts is low.
According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2023 Human Rights Practices Report, mob justice remains rampant, with suspects often executed in broad daylight with little intervention.
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A 2024 analysis by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) further highlighted the growing trend of violent mobs targeting even law enforcement officers, underscoring the breakdown of trust between the public and authorities.
As RIACO takes its first steps in Kisumu, the question remains—can Kenya shift from street verdicts to a justice system that works for all? The battle is just beginning, but for the victims of mob justice, every step forward is a step toward survival.
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