Nairobi, Kenya – National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo has raised alarms over the increasing use of goons in political and commercial disputes, warning that the trend could lead to a breakdown of law and order similar to Haiti.
The Suba North MP cited recent incidents where over 100 thugs stormed a hotel in Kisumu owned by former PS Irungu Nyakera over a rent dispute, and a similar confrontation occurred in Nairobi at a property linked to ex-minister Raphael Tuju.
“The rise of gangster culture tolerated by authority will haunt Kenya. 100 gangsters were used to try and evict a businessman from premises in Kisumu. Similar gangsters were used to hound Tuju yesterday. Soon, like Haiti, we might need other nations to assist us deal with gangsters,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In Kisumu, CCTV footage captured the goons raiding the hotel under claims of enforcing a rent dispute between Nyakera and the Lake Basin Development Authority.
Nyakera told journalists that property, including electronic equipment and conference facility items, had been removed during earlier confrontations. He estimated losses at Ksh 50 million, noting that furniture had been overturned and the bar ransacked.
On the same day, Tuju was seen in a video confronting a group of goons at Dari Business Park in Karen, Nairobi, ordering them off the property.
“The person they claim to work for said they had bought this place. But these matters are already before the courts,” Tuju stated.
Odhiambo and opposition leaders have repeatedly warned that political rallies, church events, and other public gatherings have been disrupted by goons, some allegedly facilitated by law enforcement.
Just ten days ago, nearly 200 armed goons were seen in Kisii town ahead of a United Opposition rally, resulting in chaos and several injuries.
The Linda Mwananchi caucus also reported that goons attempted to storm one of their meetings in Nairobi but were repulsed.
Odhiambo stressed that unless authorities act decisively, the proliferation of such groups could threaten Kenya’s peace and security.
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