Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo has called for urgent action against political violence and armed gangs.
In a statement on Monday, Odhiambo argued that the recent armed robbery at a restaurant in Nairobi’s Westlands is a symptom of a deeper national security problem rather than an isolated criminal incident.
According to her, the robbery reflects the consequences of years of political leaders allegedly normalising the use of armed youth and hired goons during political activities.
The former LSK President cautioned that weapons introduced into politics eventually find their way into communities, increasing insecurity for all Kenyans.
Additionally, Odhiambo said that once young people are armed for political purposes, the weapons do not remain confined to campaign rallies but spread into public spaces, including restaurants, churches, residential estates and other areas frequented by ordinary citizens.
She noted that Kenya has previously experienced a similar pattern in which politicians allegedly relied on gangs to advance political interests, only for those criminal groups to become entrenched in society and turn against the very communities they once served.
“Once you arm young people for politics, those guns and crude weapons don’t remain at the rally. They migrate into our streets, churches, restaurants and estates, turning every space into a potential battlefield for hired violence and organised crime,” she stated.
Odhiambo also described the trend as a direct threat to the constitutional rights of Kenyans, including the right to personal security and the freedom to participate or decline to participate in politics without fear of intimidation.
Odhiambo further urged the State to dismantle political militias, recover illegal weapons and hold accountable any leaders found to be recruiting or mobilising youth for violent political activities.
