Lawless state: Westlands’ armed robbery and rising political violence raise alarm
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, July 6, 2026In Kenya, the open and brutal use of force and criminal activities are now performed in broad daylight and done seemingly without any consequences, posing serious questions to the security architecture and the ability of the security apparatus to protect its citizens.
Two recent events have brought the issue of a rejuvenation of lawlessness and the increasing acceptance of violence in public places back to the forefront of people’s minds.
Robbery exposes security gaps
The first was at a restaurant on General Mathenge Road in Westlands, where armed robbers raided the premises in broad daylight, robbing the restaurant and terrorising its patrons. Despite it being one of the busiest commercial and diplomatic areas in Nairobi, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage that has since been widely shared on social media shows the suspects calmly robbing the house before making their getaway.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since gone to work, and the incident has raised many questions in the minds of Kenyans about how they could go about operating with such impunity in one of the most secure neighbourhoods in the capital.
The tape has come to symbolise a public concern that the criminals are growing bolder; they commit crimes in broad daylight, knowing that they will be unlikely to be caught right away.
Political violence claims life
What was even more alarming was the violent disruption of the Linda Mwananchi political rally in Kisii, where it was reported that there was a clash between groups of youths and those who attended the rally with the leaders. It was later reported that one had died and several were injured.
Videos released on social media depicted people hurling stones at cars in broad daylight, leading to the leaders and participants running from the scene while the security seemed defenceless.
The scenes were reminiscent of a worrisome trend of increasingly violent political gatherings, often with devastating consequences.
The incident has brought to the forefront the need for political freedoms to be better protected and is renewing calls for action against those who organise and commit violence during public gatherings.
Pattern of growing impunity
Both the Westlands robbery and the Kisii violence, while motivated by different reasons, one for crime and another for politics, show the same theme: the increase in boldness of perpetrators as they feel they can get away with impunity, as they know there is no immediate risk.
But the integrity of public trust in the country’s security agencies is not just about crime investigations; it’s also about crime prevention.
State’s constitutional duty
The Constitution makes it crystal clear that the state is responsible for maintaining law and order. Citizens have the expectation that security agencies will protect life and property regardless of political party, social status or geographic location.
So, when armed robbers can steal in the middle of the day in the heart of Nairobi, and when political rallies turn into battlegrounds where lives are lost, the question of whether enough is being done to deter criminality and political violence naturally arises.
Experts have long known that if criminals are not investigated or prosecuted promptly or are treated inconsistently, it can embolden criminal networks and gangs supported by the political agenda. Also troubling is the frequent use of organised groups to break up public events, vandalise property and beat up opponents, apparently in the hopes that they can get away with it.
The absence of accountability must give way to accountability. Kenya should not tolerate such scenes.
No conflict should ever descend into violence, and civilians should never be afraid of being murdered by gunmen when they are out and about.
The government and security forces, including the National Police Service, investigative bodies and intelligence agencies, must show that there is equal application of the rule of law to all. All individuals who commit any crime for any cause, from theft to politics, must be identified, arrested and prosecuted by credible evidence and due process.
Reliable policing, timely interventions, better intelligence and regular law enforcement continue to be vital to regaining public trust. It is also crucial that political actors do not incite and that those organising public events coordinate with security agencies to ensure the safety of the participants.
Wake-up call
The gruesome scenes from Westlands and Kisii should not be cyclical videos, viral videos and public outrage, but a wake-up call.
A country where daylight robberies are filmed on CCTV and where political supporters attack opponents in public faces the danger of undermining the trust placed in its institutions to keep the peace.
Finally, security is one of the most basic responsibilities of the state. Kenyans have a legitimate right to be able to do business, attend political rallies and walk around without fear of violence or crime.