The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has called on President William Ruto to take immediate action against government officials allegedly sponsoring and mobilizing criminal gangs to disrupt political gatherings.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, the church council expressed concern over what it described as a sharp rise in goon-related incidents, saying more than 30 such cases had been recorded since the beginning of the year.
“For the sake of the present and future of this nation, we demand that the President, who is the seeming beneficiary of state-sponsored violence, take immediate action on all government officials sponsoring and mobilizing goons,” read part of the statement.
NCCK warned that the country risks descending into a “Haiti-like gangland” if the trend is not stopped.
NCCK Warns Kenya Risks Becoming Haiti if Goonism Persists
The council drew parallels between Kenya’s current situation and Haiti, where gang violence has crippled public security and governance.
It noted that Kenya’s deployment of 750 police officers under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti should have underscored the dangers of allowing criminal gangs to thrive.
According to the NCCK, rather than learning from Haiti’s experience, Kenya appears to be moving in the opposite direction by allegedly tolerating or facilitating political violence through organized gangs.
The council cited the recent incident at ACK St Stephen’s Church in Kisumu, where goons allegedly disrupted a church service attended by opposition leaders, warning that such incidents could escalate into broader violence targeting state institutions.
“It is for this reason that the incident at ACK St Stephen’s Church, Kisumu, should send a cold terror to every Kenyan,” the statement said.
Also Read: Chaos in Kisumu as Suspected Goons Disrupt Church Service Linked to Linda Mwananchi Leaders
Other Recommendations
Beyond disciplinary measures, the NCCK also called for the urgent convening of a multi-sectoral forum that brings together religious leaders, civil society organizations, the private sector, political actors, and security agencies to discuss the state of the nation and develop strategies to end the culture of political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The recommendation, the council said, draws from the National Crime Research Center’s 2025 report on the proliferation and resilience of criminal gangs in Kenya.
The council further reminded political leaders that the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to make political choices and participate in free, fair and regular elections without intimidation or violence.
It warned that continued sponsorship of gangs for political purposes could erode constitutional democracy and leave Kenya facing long-term instability similar to Haiti’s.
Also Read: NCCK Urged MPs to Focus on Service Delivery Rather Than Personal Gain
Rise of Goonism
The NCCK’s statement comes amid growing concern over a series of violent incidents at political gatherings across the country.
Recently, violence broke out in Kisumu and Nyahururu after suspected hired goons disrupted events linked to the opposition-backed Linda Mwananchi movement.
Two people were killed during clashes at a church in Kisumu, while property was extensively damaged during violence in Nyahururu on July 12.
Following the incidents, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the National Police Service had arrested at least 20 suspects linked to the violence.
He said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had been directed to pursue both the individuals involved in the attacks and those alleged to have financed or organized them.
The incidents have also raised concerns over press freedom and journalists’ safety after armed goons attacked a K24 TV news crew covering the Linda Mwananchi convoy in Kisii County, destroying broadcasting equipment and damaging the station’s vehicle.
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PHOTO/NCCK
