Gakuya blames govt for goons’ menace hours after Ruto’s directive
By Faith Lagat, December 2, 2025Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of engineering and bankrolling political goons, dismissing claims that the state is merely a target of hired thugs.
Speaking during a televised interview on December 2, 2025, Gakuya said the government should “not cry crocodile tears” over increasing cases of political violence.
Gakuya cited that the state has, for years, enabled criminal gangs to operate with impunity, particularly during elections and political contests.
“Coming to the matter goons, the government should not cry crocodile tears. The government is the formation of goons; is the creator of goons. We have seen, and this is, that the by-election was not the only first day that we witnessed goons unleashing,” he stated.
He cited numerous incidents in Nairobi where gangs operate openly under police watch.
“We have witnessed goons in Nairobi under the watch of police, and police taking no action, but police vigilance, the goons unleashing what we call businesses or people, and mugging, pedestrian within the city, and within the CBD. In the presence of, and the security protection of the police, and therefore, does it mean that Inspector General does not know his job? Doesn’t he know the job that is mandated to the police? Who allows goons to operate in the whole daylight, and watch of police?” he posed.
Warns of slipping toward a failed state
The MP questioned whether President William Ruto was only now learning of the presence of political thugs. “Then today, should it be the first day that the president has learned that goons are unleashing and terrorising?” he asked.
Gakuya warned that normalising state-sponsored thuggery risks pushing Kenya toward instability. “It is wrong, because this behaviour will create a very big, big, big burden in the future, because you have allowed goons, you have been dishing money to them, and you have allowed them to take the control, as if we are in a failed state,” he said. He cited examples of individuals he claims were deployed by the government, including “Nyundo, from Ruaraka, all the way to Malaba” and “Ochanda, from Kibra.”
Kariobangi chaos
His remarks came a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen cautioned politicians against using manufactured chaos to discredit security agencies.
The warning followed the November 30 fracas at Kariobangi North PCEA Church, where police fired teargas during a thanksgiving service attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua later accused President Ruto of sending “goons and police” to attack worshippers and claimed two supporters were shot and wounded. ”Directing police to throw tear gas in a church to harm the clergy, women and children is the lowest a leader can go. You have desecrated the Altar and defiled a Holy Place, and for sure God will punish you. Much as I appreciate your frustrations, the more you send goons and police to attack the public and their leaders, the more you harden their resolve against your unpopular leadership.” Rigathi Gachagua added.