Faith Odhiambo demands action against politicians behind criminal gangs
By Sharon Atieno, July 13, 2026Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has called for the prosecution of politicians she accuses of financing criminal gangs, arguing that Kenya’s growing insecurity cannot be blamed solely on the individuals carrying out attacks.
In a post on her X account on Monday, July 13, 2026, Odhiambo said the country was grappling with an organised system of political violence in which unemployed youth were being recruited and used by powerful individuals.
Prosecute the buyers
Odhiambo dismissed suggestions that the violence witnessed in recent political events was the work of isolated criminal groups, insisting that those funding and coordinating the attacks should also face justice.
“Kenya is not dealing with random criminals. I refuse to join such a chorus. We are dealing with a procurement system of violence with well-known politicians as the buyers while unemployed Kenyans are the commodity, trading impunity as their currency,” she said.
She added that criminal gangs had been allowed to operate a parallel economy sustained by political patronage.
“The goons and criminal gangs have been allowed to run a parallel economy with well-known buyers and sellers. Until we prosecute the buyers, the market remains open,” Odhiambo stated.
The LSK president further maintained that civil society organisations would continue speaking out despite intimidation.
“As Civil Society Organisations, we will not fall under the pressure of such coercion and intimidation. We will call out these ills for what they are—outright defiance of our Constitution,” she added.
Concerns over political violence
Odhiambo’s remarks came hours after goons disrupted an event attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna in Kisumu, where several motorbikes were set ablaze amid political tensions.
The incident occurred after the two leaders attended a church service at St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, where they reaffirmed unity within the Linda Mwananchi movement before scheduled political engagements.
Earlier, Jubilee Party Deputy Organising Secretary Pauline Njoroge had alleged that there were plans to attack the opposition leaders, although the claims had not been confirmed by the National Police Service.
Following the disruption, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said that individuals who targeted the opposition leaders had suffered the consequences of their actions after several motorbikes were burnt.
The latest incident has added to growing concerns over politically linked violence as campaigns intensify ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with calls mounting for authorities to investigate those financing and organising criminal gangs rather than focusing only on those carrying out the attacks.