Kisumu: The Kisumu County Security Committee has declared war on all criminal gangs operating in the county and all those who are bankrolling them. In a hard-hitting statement, the security team termed the violence that erupted at St. Stephen Anglican Church in Milimani area in Kisumu city between two-armed groups of youths as unfortunate, saying investigations into the incident are ongoing and all those involved and their financiers will face the full force of the law.
According to Kenya News Agency, the security team also warned politicians funding criminal gangs in their county that all those involved and those sponsoring the violence will take full responsibility for the incident and no one will be spared. The security team confirmed that two people were killed and one injured in the violence that erupted while nine motorbikes and one vehicle were torched.
The violence erupted after a gang of hired goons confronted the Linda Mwananchi political faction, which included Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, among others. They had arrived at the St. Stephen Anglican Church to join the worshippers for a service. One gang was seemingly hired to protect the politicians and their team, while the other gang seemed to have been sent to disrupt the function the politicians had come to attend.
Reading the communique during a joint press briefing in Kisumu, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, who co-chairs the County Security Committee with County Commissioner Mohammed Ramadan Mwabudzo, said the violence was an act of organized criminality that would be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Nyong’o revealed that eight suspects arrested in connection with the violence were expected to be arraigned in court, adding that investigations were ongoing, including the analysis of digital evidence circulating on social media.
The Governor noted that criminal violence threatens not only public safety but also economic growth by discouraging investment, disrupting businesses, and denying young people employment opportunities. Nyong’o further cautioned politicians against sponsoring violence or recruiting young people into criminal activities for political gain, emphasizing that accountability would extend to those who finance, organize, or facilitate such acts.
He said the County Security Committee had already launched a countywide security operation in which more than 200 suspects had been arrested and arraigned in various courts, adding that the operation would continue until criminal networks were dismantled. The Governor commended the National Police Service for its swift response during Sunday’s incident around St. Stephen’s ACK Cathedral and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, saying the intervention prevented further loss of life.
He also conveyed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and urged young people to reject violence in favor of education, innovation, productive work, and responsible citizenship. County Commissioner Mohammed Ramadan Mwabudzo said security agencies had sustained operations across the county for more than two weeks, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of over 200 suspects linked to various offenses.
Mwabudzo appealed to members of the public to volunteer information on criminal hideouts and areas experiencing insecurity to support ongoing operations. He urged political leaders planning public events in Kisumu to notify security agencies in advance to facilitate adequate security arrangements, warning against hiring criminal gangs to provide protection. ‘We have enough security officers to provide security for every public function. Leaders should not hire goons to provide security,’ he said.
The CC regretted the loss of lives, noting that preliminary investigations indicated many of the youths involved had been mobilized without fully understanding the purpose of the mission. He condemned the hiring of young people for political violence, saying innocent lives had been lost in the process. It’s worth noting that criminal gangs allegedly hired by politicians have been attacking political or church gatherings of their opponents, raising serious security concerns as we move closer to the General Elections,’ he regretted.
