Belgut MP Nelson Koech has acknowledged that Kenyan politicians employ goons as renewed public concern grows over the use of criminal gangs during political activities. Speaking about recent incidents of violence linked to political events, Koech shared his own experience in detail.
He recounted an empowerment event held by an MP at Uhuru Park several weeks ago, where he immediately noticed a large group of young men at the venue. Koech narrated that after he addressed the crowd and prepared to leave, chaos broke out.
Koech alleged that four suspected goons entered his vehicle while his security officer struggled to stop others from taking his firearm. Koech further claimed that the men forced his bodyguard out of the car and that he had to flee while his guard followed him on a motorcycle.
According to Koech, the suspected goons stayed inside the vehicle as he drove away from the venue toward Lang’ata. He said one of them instructed him to use the Nairobi Expressway, warning that those trailing them could shoot at his vehicle.
Koech said the incident left him questioning where the country was headed. “I realized we are losing our country if this is the trajectory that we are taking,” he said.
During the interview, Koech said the MP who had organized the event seemed to be swept up in the confusion as well. He added that the contribution he planned to make during the function was delivered somewhere else after concerns emerged over how events were unfolding.
Koech argued more broadly that politicians have increasingly normalized moving around with large entourages of supporters. He said this has helped fuel a culture of intimidation, with some leaders treating the arrival of dozens of supporters as a signal of popularity and political strength.
“All leaders must immediately drop their goons because all of us have goons,” he said.
He also claimed that funeral gatherings have become harder for political leaders to attend without running into groups that demand money before they are allowed access. Koech said reversing these trends ultimately depends on politicians themselves, urging them to reject violence and stop relying on organized groups at political events.
He said recognizing the problem would be the first step toward restoring public confidence and keeping political gatherings peaceful.
