In a stern warning that signals a major security policy shift, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has pledged to dismantle the complex networks of organised criminal gangs that have terrorised communities across Kenya. The government's new offensive will not only target street-level criminals but also their influential financiers in the political and business arenas, Murkomen emphasized.

This declaration addresses a crisis that directly impacts the safety and economic stability of ordinary Kenyans. A recent security report, 'Jukwaa la Usalama', revealed that Nairobi alone is home to over 130 gangs, with many more operating in counties like Kakamega, Mombasa, and Trans Nzoia. These groups are implicated in everything from extortion and violent robbery to political intimidation, threatening the livelihoods of citizens and the nation's social fabric.

An Unholy Alliance Under Fire

Murkomen acknowledged a deeply troubling reality: the resilience of these gangs is directly tied to support from powerful individuals. "There are people who support the government, but they invest in gangs," he noted during a recent interview, stressing that the crackdown would be impartial. These criminal enterprises, known by names like Gazza, 42 Brothers, and Jeshi Jinga, often operate as mercenaries for hire, available to the highest bidder for tasks ranging from land grabbing to disrupting political rallies.

The announcement follows recent by-elections where police were seen interacting casually with machete-wielding individuals, an incident Murkomen cited as evidence of the compromised security landscape. He confirmed that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja is already taking action against culpable officers and is formulating the strategy for the broader intelligence-led operation.

A New Strategy for Community Safety

The government's approach is rooted in the findings of the 'Jukwaa la Usalama' initiative, a nationwide series of security forums that engaged over 60,000 grassroots leaders. This bottom-up strategy aims to formalise the role of community policing structures and village elders in the national security framework to improve intelligence gathering and public participation. Key elements of the new plan include:

• **Intelligence-Led Operations:** Focusing on dismantling gang leadership and financial networks rather than just low-level arrests.
• **Judicial Follow-Up:** Strengthening the prosecution of criminal cases to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
• **Community Engagement:** Formally recognising and incorporating village elders into governance and security structures, with a planned monthly stipend of KES 3,000 starting June 2026.
• **Targeted Development:** Addressing root causes of crime like unemployment by fast-tracking infrastructure projects in historically marginalised regions.

While the government's firm stance has been welcomed, the challenge is immense. Previous studies, including a notable 2018 report by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), found that nearly 90% of organised gangs were financed and deployed by politicians. This deep-rooted collusion has historically undermined law enforcement efforts and eroded public trust.

As the new operation prepares to launch, the critical question for many Kenyans is whether this will be the decisive action that finally reclaims their streets and secures their communities. The Interior Ministry's promise to pursue offenders "without fear or favour" will be tested in the weeks and months to come.