Tuju links rise of ‘goons’ to youth unemployment, calls for national reflection

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju addressing the media after a church service at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Milimani, on April 12, 2026 Faith Matete

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju addressing after a church service at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Milimani, on April 12, 2026 Faith Matete

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju addressing a congregation during a church service at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Milimani on April 12, 2026. Faith Matete 

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has attributed the rising cases of organised criminal gangs to widespread youth unemployment, warning that the trend reflects deeper socio-economic challenges facing the country. 

Speaking during a church service in Kisumu, Tuju said he had attended the service to seek prayers and reflect on the state of the nation. 

“I do not have much to say today. I came here for prayers. This is my church, and I decided to fellowship here because we are all our brother’s and sister’s keeper,” he said.

He, however, expressed concern over what he termed 'growing impunity' across the country, cautioning that failure to address it could have serious consequences.

"I believe the impunity we are now seeing in this country is something we must address. If we allow it to take root, then that will be the end of all of us,” he said. 

Tuju linked the emergence of so-called “goons” to historical population trends and lack of economic opportunities, noting that Kenya experienced one of the highest population growth rates globally in the 1980s.

"In the 1980s, particularly around 1986, Kenya had one of the highest population growth rates in the world. That large youth population has now grown into adulthood,” he explained. 

According to Tuju, many of these young people are educated but remain jobless, creating frustration and vulnerability. 

“Unfortunately, many of them do not have jobs. They have certificates and diplomas, but there are no opportunities,” he said.

He noted that each year, nearly one million young people leave school and enter an already saturated job market with limited prospects. 

“Those from previous years, the current year, and those to come all face the same problem of lack of jobs,” he added. 

Tuju criticised leaders for failing to prioritise job creation, accusing those in power of focusing on deals and scandals instead of addressing unemployment.

"Meanwhile, those who should be solving this problem are busy with deals, one scandal after another,” he said. 

He argued that criminal gangs are not the root problem but rather a symptom of systemic failure. 

“So the goons we see today are not the real problem. They are a symptom of a deeper issue,” he said. 

Tuju pointed out that many parents have educated children at home without jobs, despite their qualifications. 

“All we hear about are deals, deals in oil, petroleum, and many other sectors. It seems everything is about deals,” he said. 

He called on leaders to shift focus to the pressing needs of citizens and address unemployment as a matter of urgency. 

“When will leaders sit down and address the real problems facing this country?” he posed.