The pulpit has become the frontline in the battle for Kenya’s political soul. In a fearless intervention, Archbishop Dominic Kimengich has issued a stern warning against the weaponization of unemployed youth, calling out the rising culture of "goons for hire" that threatens to turn the 2027 election cycle into a bloodbath.

Speaking with the moral authority of the church, the Coadjutor Archbishop of Mombasa did not mince his words. He identified a disturbing trend where politicians are actively recruiting desperate young men to intimidate opponents and silence dissent. This militarization of politics, he warned, is a ticking time bomb that could shatter the fragile peace the country has enjoyed since the last transition.

The Mercenaries of Democracy

The Archbishop’s warning comes at a time when political temperatures are already rising, a full year ahead of the polls. Intelligence reports and ground realities confirm his fears: political rallies are increasingly becoming staging grounds for violence, orchestrated by organized gangs paid to heckle, disrupt, and attack. "We cannot build a nation on the blood of our children," Kimengich declared, challenging the political class to compete on ideas rather than violence.

The use of goons is not new in Kenyan politics, but the scale and organization described by the Archbishop suggest a dangerous evolution. These are not just spontaneous clashes; they are funded, strategic operations designed to create zones of fear. The church’s intervention places the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the leaders who fund these militias while their own children study safely abroad.

• The Target: Vulnerable, unemployed youth are being lured with handouts to act as foot soldiers for political warlords.
• The consequence: The normalization of violence is eroding democratic space, making it impossible for women and peace-loving citizens to participate in the political process.

A Call to Conscience

Archbishop Kimengich’s statement serves as a spiritual red line. He has called on the security apparatus to remain neutral and vigilant, and for the youth to refuse to be used as pawns in a deadly game of chess. The church, often the voice of reason in times of turmoil, is signaling that it will not remain silent as the country slides toward anarchy.

As the political drums begin to beat for 2027, the choice facing Kenya is stark: heed the warnings of its moral custodians, or allow the streets to be ruled by the highest bidder. The Archbishop has spoken; now the nation must decide if it is listening.