Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga
Unemployed and vulnerable young people are being exploited and recruited into acts of political violence and goonism for as little as Sh200, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga has said.
Igonga warned that the growing use of vulnerable people to cause violence and disruption was becoming a major concern, particularly as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on emerging threats, including political violence, gender-based violence and online disinformation, the DPP said many of those recruited to engage in goonism were economically vulnerable and did not fully understand why they were being asked to participate in violent activities.
“Those involved in goonism do not even know why they are doing it. They have just been told,” Igonga said.
He said unemployment and economic hardship had made some young people easy targets for individuals who recruit and use them to advance political interests.
“Those involved at times are unemployed and vulnerable. You give them Sh200 and they are happy,” he said.
Igonga said authorities must find ways of identifying not only the people carrying out acts of violence but also those recruiting, organising and potentially financing them.
“We must find a way to find them,” he said.
The DPP welcomed efforts by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take goonism seriously, including identifying individuals allegedly linked to the vice.
“On goonism, I am happy that the IEBC has taken it seriously and even given some names. We must investigate,” he said.
However, Igonga said successful investigations and prosecutions depended heavily on the availability of credible evidence, urging members of the public to cooperate with authorities.
“Unfortunately, from where I am seated, we deal with evidence to arrive at the truth,” he said.
He noted that while members of the public often reported incidents involving suspected goons, investigations were sometimes hampered by a lack of evidence.
“People will tell us that these goons are doing this and that, but when we ask you to give us evidence, you do not want to give us that evidence,” he said.
Igonga appealed to members of the public and other stakeholders to support investigations by providing evidence that could help authorities identify and prosecute those responsible for organising and carrying out political violence.
His remarks highlight growing concerns about the exploitation of economically vulnerable young people in political violence, with unemployment and financial hardship potentially making them susceptible to recruitment for small amounts of money.
