Gang crisis: 309 criminal networks mapped in 11 counties - report

There is widespread proliferation, persistence, and resilience of criminal gangs across multiple counties in Kenya, a survey has shown.

The report says the proliferation and resilience of criminal gangs present a growing challenge to national security.

The gangs engage in criminal activities such as extortion, drug peddling and/or trafficking, robbery, and political violence, with far-reaching implications on the country’s development, a survey by the National Crime Research Centre says.

The survey on the proliferation and resilience of criminal gangs in Kenya was released by the NCRC on Wednesday.

It said that despite numerous government interventions, these groups continue to adapt, evade law enforcement, and expand their influence.

The survey examined the proliferation, activities, contributing factors, and mitigation measures concerning criminal gangs in Kenya and was undertaken in 11 counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Nakuru, Bungoma, Kwale, Kiambu, Machakos, Kisumu, Busia and Garissa. 

The centre said the conclusion is supported by findings pointing to the deep entrenchment of criminal gangs in local communities, regional variation in gang proliferation and expansion, high adaptability and resilience of gangs evidenced by the presence of gangs that continue to thrive even in counties where suppression efforts have been intensified, and the growing threat of highly violent and dreaded gangs.

At least 82.3 per cent of the overall survey sample respondents argued that criminal gangs had proliferated in their localities.

“Key indicators of proliferation included frequent reports of gang-related crimes, increased violence, and growing gang influence in youth groups.”

“The visibility of gang activities was rated at 87.6 percent, with Kisumu, Busia, and Bungoma recording the highest gang spread,” read part of the report.

Despite the overall perception of proliferation, 53.2 percent of the sample respondents noted a decline in gang numbers over the past three years, though Bungoma, Busia, and Kisumu counties recorded increases.

A total of 309 criminal gangs were mapped, with the highest concentration in Mombasa (73), Nairobi (56), and Kilifi (47).

Notable gangs with extensive presence included Gaza/Gaza Family, 42 Brothers, Wakali Wao, Panga Boys, Chafu/Squad Chafu/Gang Chafu and Mungiki.

 

The survey found that criminal gangs in the surveyed  counties had deeply infiltrated multiple sectors, expanded their criminal activities, adopted sophisticated operational tactics, and gained resilience through community complicity.

“These dynamics made gang-related crime a persistent and complex security threat. Criminal gangs were found to have permeated multiple sectors, with the most affected being security, drug trade, and public transport.”

The main activities the groups are involved in include robberies, assaults, drug peddling and murder.

Their operations were characterized by violent attacks and intimidation.

At least 84.6 percent of the sample respondents acknowledged complicity among local community members (drawn from peers, family members and larger community members) especially through failure to report crimes, offering protection and normalizing gang activities had contributed to gang resilience.

Another finding of the survey was that there was a complex interplay of socio-economic, cultural, and structural factors that contributed to the proliferation and resilience of criminal gangs under the dictates of demographic profiles of gang members, recruitment methods used, the motivations for joining and staying in gangs and the factors sustaining gangs.

The survey found that most gang members were young males with histories of substance abuse and limited education.

“Recruitment was primarily through peer influence, targeting vulnerable youth, and financial incentives.”

“The key factors driving youth involvement included peer pressure, unemployment, drug exposure, and poor family support systems,” read part of the report.

The persistence of gangs was linked to peer pressure and influence; vulnerabilities associated with high unemployment and poverty, availability of illegal drugs, broken or poor social and/or family support systems, inadequate formal education among youth; political exploitation, community cultural and social tolerance of criminal gangs, underdevelopment and marginalization.

The report said corruption among rogue government officials, including security and law enforcement officers, inadequate social services, weak security policing of criminal gangs and poor coordination among existing criminal justice agencies also contribute to the menace.

Ready markets for stolen items sold as second-hand items, weak prosecution of criminal gang members and inadequately sustained youth empowerment initiatives are also key driving factors for persistence of the gangs.

The survey found that there were multiple mitigation measures that had been implemented by both state and non-state actors to curb the proliferation and resilience of criminal gangs.

Law enforcement, intelligence gathering, public sensitization, and youth empowerment initiatives are the most widely utilized.

“While these measures were perceived to be generally effective, their impact may have been constrained by persistent challenges such as inadequate resources for law enforcement, weak collaboration with communities, lenient judicial processes, and political interference.”

The report said the existing mitigation measures were evidentially not effective in addressing the menace.

The most highly rated measures, were law enforcement presence and patrols, intelligence gathering and surveillance operations, public sensitization fora such as Chief Barazas, education access, community policing structures such as Nyumba Kumi; punitive measures against gang members and youth-targeted interventions such as cultural, sports, and arts programs.

The others are youth employment and empowerment initiatives.

The lowest rated measures were support systems for victims of gang activities and amnesty programs for gang members.

“The positive rating of multi-stakeholder collaboration suggests that respondents recognize the value of inter-agency coordination in addressing organized crime.”

The report said the effectiveness of stricter bail and bond terms indicates that judicial measures are perceived as a deterrent against recidivism.

However, rehabilitation programs for reformed members received a slightly lower rating (77.9%), suggesting that while reintegration efforts exist, they may face challenges in implementation or societal acceptance.

The challenges hindering these efforts included inadequate law enforcement resources, limited youth economic opportunities, weak community-law enforcement collaboration, and political interference.

Corruption within the criminal justice system and fear of retaliation further exacerbated the problem.

The survey highlights that the proliferation and resilience of criminal gangs are deeply rooted in socio-economic vulnerabilities, structural deficiencies, and cultural dynamics.

NCRC called for change of tact that, among others, incorporates a multi-faceted and evidence-based approach to combat criminal gang proliferation and resilience.

There is also need for strengthening law and order enforcement and criminal justice system responses as the gangs were found to be spreading to new areas and their illegal activities were both visible and frequent, thus suggesting that they were undeterred possibly due to some gaps in the criminal justice system.

The centre also recommended the enhancing positive community engagement and public awareness and addressing the socioeconomic enablers of recruitment and retention in criminal gangs.

It recommended the combating drug peddling and/or trafficking and substance abuse Illicit drugs and substances and strengthening political and security institutions accountability.

Further it recommended the enhancing technological and strategic security approaches and enhancing criminal reintegration and rehabilitation after-care programmes.