Speaking on the issue, IG Douglas Kanja said that successive election cycles have repeatedly seen unemployed youths recruited, funded and mobilized by political actors to intimidate rivals, disrupt campaigns, and influence voting outcomes in some regions.
He noted that while Kenya has made significant progress in strengthening democratic institutions, the use of informal militia-like groups during election periods continues to undermine the rule of law and erode public trust in the political process.
According to the police chief, the pattern often begins with economic vulnerability. Large numbers of unemployed young people, particularly in urban informal settlements and rural hotspots, are targeted with small payments, drugs, or promises of protection and future political favour.
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Once recruited, these groups are allegedly used for tasks ranging from campaign rallies security intimidation to outright violence during tense electoral moments.
Security agencies have repeatedly linked such gangs to post-election unrest in previous cycles, especially in contested constituencies where political competition is intense.
Authorities warn that these networks often do not dissolve after elections but instead evolve into organized criminal groups involved in extortion, drug trafficking, and land grabbing.
IG Kanja emphasized that dismantling the gangs requires more than policing. He called for a multi-agency approach involving community leaders, youth empowerment programs and political accountability.
He warned that politicians found sponsoring or financing such groups would face the full force of the law, regardless of their status.
He also urged young people to avoid being used as political tools of destruction, stressing that short-term financial gain from such engagements often leads to long term criminal records, injury, or even death.
Civil society organizations have echoed similar concerns, arguing that the persistence of politically linked gangs reflects deeper structural issues, including unemployment, inequality and weak enforcement of electoral laws.
Security analysts say that as Kenya approaches future election cycles, vigilance will be critical, particularly in regions with a history of electoral violence.
They have called for early intelligence gathering and stronger coordination between national and county security structures.
The National Police Service has pledged to intensify surveillance in known hotspots and work closely with communities to disrupt recruitment networks before they become active during campaign periods.
