DAMNING REPORT PREDICTING KENYA TO BE ON CROSS ROADS, FOLLOWING THE RESURGENCE OF POLITICALLY INSTIGATED GANG RULE AND LAWLESSNESS.
News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
A damning report paints a gloomy picture about the presence in Kenya of gangs of terrorist groups that were organized by politicians during the post-election violence, and have mutated into criminal gangs, posing a big threat to the country’s national security.
The report entitled “Kenya National Dialogue Report” is an audit report carried out between October and December last year.
Some of the gangs, says the report, have retained their old names, while others have changed identity and are now engaged in extortion, torture and destruction of properties.
The operation of these gangs, outlined in an audit commissioned by the Kofi Annan-led group, that negotiated an end to the 2007 post-election violence, are mostly concentrated in the capital city Nairobi, Nyanza and Central Provinces.
“Findings show the politically-organized armed militia is not in place in a manner similar to the early 2008 period. As argued in the past, the groups have mutated into criminal gangs or are simply idle because there are no political jobs”, the report says.
Eighteen gangs, according to the report, which has been quoted extensively by the DAILY NATION, have been identified in Kibera slums alone, a suburb of Nairobi, which experienced some of the worst atrocities during the mayhem caused by the disputed presidential election of 2007.
Another eight gangs are based in Nyanza, two others are in Mathare slums and three are in Central Kenya.
Security personnel are conversant with the operation of the groups during and after the post-election violence, in which more than 1500 people were killed, and 650 displaced from their homes.
Two years after the violence ended, Siafu youth groups is still operational in Kibera slums. This particular group was responsible for the eviction of people from their houses at the height of the violence, but two years later, its members continue to control the houses, dictating who occupies them. Members of the public, living in such houses are forced to pay rent to the group and it has been threatening to expand its illegal influence to the neighboring areas. Like the Mungiki, gangs in Kibera also control public transport on routes passing through areas they have claimed control.
Gangs preying on the transport sector include, “Yes We Can, 14 Gengerarmerie, 12Flamingos, 12 Disciples, 40 Ndugus, ODM Youths, Darajani, Jipange and Super 14.
Security sources said recent gangs like Jipange, and Yes Wee Can have not been profiled yet.
In Nairobi North, where Mathare slums are situated, the, report identified Thaai and Wailer groups, which are described as the new version of “Mungiki”.
The report is, however, silent over the recent discovery of 131,000 bullets and some guns in Narok and in other parts of the Rift Valley Province, and unexploded bombs and grenades in various parts of the country that has caused a lot of jittery in the grand coalition government.
In Nyanza, there are Nyalenda Base, the Chief Squad, Nyamasaria Massive, Kenda Kenda, Kondele Bagdad for Peace, Karamojong Boys, Saba Saba, Artur Margaryan,Kebago, Chinkororo, Sungu Sungu,Amachuma.
“It is difficult to disband illegal groups because they enjoyed the support of some political leaders and sustain themselves through criminal activities”, points out the report.
Complicity by police officers and the inability by the police force to destroy the groups were also cited as an obstacle in checking insecurity.
Community policing, often touted by the government as the vehicle to tackle crime, was labeled as a “source of insecurity for the communities”.
“Gang members”, it is noted, “demand for payment of security in poor neighborhood. And the outcome of deteriorating security has led Kenyans in some areas into accepting informal groups in the society, thereby leading to compliance and allegiance to the gangs.”
Although the gangs are concentrated in urban areas, the marginal areas have not been spared by the State laxity and the report says more than 380 people were killed in pastoral areas in 2009.
The killings were occasioned by clashes between communities competing for water and green pastures for their livestock.
In Kisii region, the Sungu Sungu outfit, which had sprung up as an efficient group, politicking the villages and flushing out criminal elements, have since turned out to be “hired killers” executing the villagers for a prize under the pretext of eliminating witches and cattle rustlers. But the truth of the matter is that many innocent and peace-loving Kenyans in this particular region have lost their precious lives on petty family jealousies, and old unsettled land disputes.
The group at first received the approval of the Provincial Administration and police authorities to work and supplement the security operations in the region. But later turned the heat on the population, killing people, and even at times setting ablaze their dwelling house, which leaves the villagers in shock.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com