The government has identified 109 organised criminal gangs and groups operating across Kenya, raising concerns over the possible use of criminal networks to fuel political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to a security brief by Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, the figure has risen from the 89 groups declared illegal in 2016.
Western Kenya has the highest number of identified groups at 38, followed by the Rift Valley with 22 and Nairobi with 20. Nyanza has 12, Coast 11, Eastern three, North-Eastern two and Central one.
The government says the groups are involved in violence, intimidation, extortion and other criminal activities, with organised youth groups increasingly being used for political intimidation, attacks and harassment.
Between January 1 and August 31, 2026, security agencies arrested 1,827 suspects linked to goonism and organised crime. Trans Nzoia recorded the highest number of arrests at 491.
During the same period, 729 convictions were secured, while 716 cases remained before the courts. The Rift Valley accounted for 36.5 per cent of the convictions.
Omollo said the government was shifting from targeting individual offenders to dismantling the networks behind organised crime, including gang leaders, recruiters and financiers.
Financial investigations are also being used to trace proceeds linked to extortion, robbery and illegal businesses.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has directed Regional Police Commanders to take firm and lawful action against criminal gangs and organised violence.
Officers found to have facilitated criminal activity or failed to act appropriately will face administrative or disciplinary action.
The government has attributed the growing threat partly to decentralised gang structures, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and vulnerable border areas.
Omollo said the State would strengthen multi-agency operations, community intelligence and cooperation with neighbouring countries while expanding rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for young people drawn into criminal groups.
He also urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and communities to help steer young people away from criminal networks and encouraged the public to report suspected criminal activity to the DCI.
