By John Mutiso
President William Ruto has directed the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to go after goons and their financiers.
Speaking on Monday, December 1, in Nairobi, President Ruto said goons cannot be allowed to undermine security in the country.
The Head of State emphasised that those responsible for the acts of goonism witnessed in the country must be held accountable under the law.
“We are a country that follows the rule of law. Those who use young people as goons to cause chaos, fight citizens, and bring harm are people we cannot tolerate.
“I have already instructed our Inspector General of Police that all these individuals must face strict legal action so that we can end hooliganism and the activities that undermine safety in our nation of Kenya,” said Ruto.
President Ruto’s directive came after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen pointed out the surge in the use of goons by politicians.
CS Murkomen highlighted that politicians, when going to meetings, mobilise armed goons to cheer them.
“There is a phenomenon that has grown in the country where politicians, when they want to go for meetings they have to mobilise goons to cheer them. They are carrying machetes, rungus and other things.
“The most important thing we have to deal with in the next few months is to make sure we deal with the issue of goons across the country, and this must be done without fear or favour, it must be done indiscriminately,” Murkomen stated.
On Sunday, November 30, chaos was witnessed in Kariobangi North as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was attending a service at a PCEA church.
In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) said the chaos arose from clashes between two groups of youths.
The service explained that police officers at the scene acted after detecting an imminent threat outside the church.
“Towards the end of the service, two police officers on security duty noted a large group of rowdy youths, armed with crude weapons, attempting to force their way into the church. The two officers promptly called for reinforcements,” NPS stated.
The service added that tensions rose sharply when another group of youths approached, appearing ready to confront the first group.
NPS said this escalation forced officers to intervene quickly, which unfortunately caused the confrontation to spill into the church and briefly interrupt the ongoing service.
Several people were injured during the confrontation and required emergency medical attention.
Meanwhile, Gachagua accused the state of hiring goons to intimidate the public and target political opponents.
Gachagua argued that the chaos at the church was politically motivated, blaming the confrontation on retaliation against residents for rejecting a UDA candidate in the just concluded by-elections.
“For the record, William Ruto, sending goons and police to attack us at the PCEA church, Kariobangi North, today, to punish the people of Kariobangi North for rejecting your UDA Candidate, shows how desperate you are.
“Today, your police and goons opened fire and shot two DCP supporters who are now nursing serious gunshot wounds,” Gachagua stated.
