Martha Koome: Politicians have formed over 600 criminal gangs
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 20, 2026Chief Justice Martha Koome has raised alarm over the increasing use of criminal gangs by politicians, saying more than 600 such groups are operating across the country, with the number continuing to rise.
Speaking during an interview aired on a local media station on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the chief justice painted a grim picture of the growing influence of political goons, citing a report by the Crime Research Centre.
According to Koome, the report found that politicians were forming and financing criminal gangs to advance their political interests. She claimed the groups accompany politicians to public meetings, where they cheer them on, intimidate opponents, and sometimes engage in violence.
“We received a report from the Crime Research Centre that there are high numbers of criminal gangs that are formed almost every day by politicians. If they want to go to a meeting, they are accompanied by goons so that when they speak, they cheer them. When their opponents are speaking, they heckle and bully them, and they are there for violence because everybody has a gun,” Koome said.
She added that the report indicated more than 600 criminal gangs were operating across the country but warned that the number may now have risen to about 1,000.
“That report which we received said there were over 600 criminal gangs all over the country, and they increase by the day. I believe now there could be 1,000. It is worrisome,” she stated.
Rising number of goons
The Chief Justice further noted that the sheer number of gangs has made it difficult for police to gather sufficient evidence and prosecute those involved. She urged security agencies to make greater use of intelligence and preventive measures to dismantle the groups before they commit crimes.
“The police know who these people are, and they can be prevented even before crimes happen,” Koome said.
Karua’s remarks
This comes days after People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua called for dialogue as a way of curbing the growing menace of goonism that has increasingly dominated Kenya’s political space in recent months.
Karua went ahead to urge Kenyans to reject violence as a means of resolving political differences, saying those involved in acts of political violence are members of the same communities and should be engaged through dialogue.
“We can reject violence as a means of resolving our differences. The goons are coming from our homes. As citizens, they are coming from our neighbourhoods and our communities. Let us talk to each other,” Karua said.