The Secretary General of the Kenya Ahadi Party, Nick Mwangi, has opined that the culture of political violence and intimidation is not a recent phenomenon associated with a particular administration, but it has always been the case in the political scene in Kenya.

In a live local television interview on Friday, April 17, 2026, Mwangi presented the argument that the current government, as well as the united opposition, has at one point or another benefited from or condoned the use of hired groups to manipulate the political outcome, stifle dissent, or derail the activities of the opponents.

“The element of goonism did not start with the government of the day; it did not start with the united opposition. These are people who have just shifted roles,” Mwangi said.

The utterances made by Mwangi are timely, as issues about political interruptions, engagement of fights during rallies, and claims of organised groups have been increasing in the country in different sections.

He cautioned that, until a political leadership unites to break down these systems, Kenya will continue to normalise violence as an instrument of politics instead of enhancing democratic participation through ideas and policy arguments.

The Kenya Ahadi Party SG also demanded accountability across political borders, whereby political violence cannot be condemned on a selective or partisan basis but as a national benchmark that is applied to all parties.

The statement from Mwangi has come at a time when both the government and the opposition have been pointing fingers at each other over the presence of goonism in political rallies, with the government reiterating its commitment to fight the menace that has been a norm in the recent political activities, especially in opposition rallies.

Govt commits to end political goonism

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said that politicians are the biggest security threat facing the country at the moment.

He said some leaders are taking advantage of vulnerable young people to advance political interests, putting lives at risk through what he called goonism, a trend he said has become worrying.

He said such politicians will be dealt with firmly, regardless of their political affiliation.

“The emergence of political goons and gangs is a national security threat. Picketing has also been used by politicians to cause chaos, instead of people registering their dissent without destruction,” Murkomen said.