Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has called on the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to urgently map volatile regions across the country and address the rising incidents of political goon violence.

Speaking during a television interview on Monday, June 15, 2026, Mungatana said intelligence agencies should take a proactive approach to prevent the escalation of politically linked violence involving groups of young people.

He made the remarks following incidents where groups disrupted a post-budget engagement forum at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, targeting participants at the civil society meeting.

“In Tana River and along the coast, we don’t have this culture of violence against your opponents,” he said. “We are a welcoming people. We may strongly disagree, but we don’t have to fight physically.”

Call for intelligence-led prevention

Mungatana urged the NIS to identify and map regions where political violence is emerging, saying early detection would help prevent escalation. He said intelligence agencies already possess tools that can support prevention efforts, including modern surveillance and data systems.

The senator referenced past security challenges involving organised groups, noting that similar threats had been addressed in previous years through coordinated state action.

He also called on the Interior Ministry to adopt a more proactive approach in dealing with emerging security threats linked to political activities.

“We now have technology,” he said. “Facial recognition, AI, and mobile telecom data make it easier to trace and apprehend perpetrators.” He urged authorities to combine enforcement with prevention strategies to dismantle organised groups linked to political violence.

Concerns over youth involvement in violence

The All Saints Cathedral incident has drawn condemnation from religious and civil society organisations, with concerns raised over increasing intolerance in political spaces.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) described the attack on the forum held at a place of worship as unacceptable and warned of rising tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the incident and said investigations are ongoing, including analysis of CCTV footage to identify other individuals involved.

Mungatana said many young people involved in such incidents are often recruited and later abandoned, exposing them to arrest or injury.

He urged leaders to discourage the use of youth in violent political activities and instead promote peaceful engagement and dialogue.

Democracy and political tolerance

The senator said political differences should be addressed through dialogue rather than confrontation, noting that disagreement is a normal part of society.

“Convince me with sense, don’t beat me,” he said. “Beating only radicalises people further.”

He added that protecting democratic spaces requires accountability, enforcement of the law, and efforts to reduce exploitation of vulnerable youth.