A new security brief delivered to President William Ruto has exposed a chilling reality: Kenya is facing an unprecedented surge in gang activity, with Nairobi alone hosting more than 130 active criminal groups, making it the country’s biggest breeding ground for organised crime.
The explosive Jukwaa la Usalama Report, compiled by security experts and intelligence analysts, paints a grim picture of a country where gangs, some barely known to the public, are tightening their grip on neighbourhoods, youth, politics, and even land ownership.
Nairobi: Kenya’s Gang Capital
According to the report, Nairobi is now the epicentre of the crisis, with over 130 gangs involved in everything from petty extortion to political violence, kidnappings, murder, and election-related mercenary work.
“Some of the gangs are structured and highly organised, while others are amorphous groups that regroup only when hired for assignments,” the report states.
Among those listed are:
- Jeshi Jinga
- 42 Brothers
- M23
- Kapenguria Six
- Usiku Sacco
These gangs operate across estates such as Kibera, Dandora, Mathare, Kayole, and Mukuru, often controlling entire zones through fear and brutality.
Crisis Spreads Beyond the Capital
The report warns that gang activity has become a national problem, with the highest concentrations outside Nairobi found in:
- Kakamega
- Busia
- Bungoma
- Vihiga
- Kisii
- Kisumu
- Homa Bay
- Tana River
- Trans Nzoia
- Mombasa
- Murang’a
- Machakos
These gangs, often formed in response to political rivalry, unemployment, and weak social institutions, now influence everything from local elections to land ownership.
In Nakuru, the notorious Confirm and Watizeti gangs remain entrenched in Kivumbini, Bondeni, and Rhonda.
At the Coast, once-infamous groups like Panga Boys have weakened — thanks to rehabilitation and police crackdowns — but newer outfits continue to emerge, especially in Kilifi and Mombasa.
Land Invasion Gangs Rising Fast
One of the most alarming findings is the reemergence of violent land invasion groups.
- In Machakos, gangs linked to Gaza and remnants of Mungiki are reportedly being used to invade private land and seize mining sites.
- In Kilifi and Mombasa, groups like Team Mashamba and Mawoza have become the go-to foot soldiers for well-connected land grabbers.
These invasions have left homeowners terrified, businesses displaced, and government institutions unable to access their own land.
Political Gangs Ramping Up Violence
The report warns that with political temperatures rising ahead of future elections, gangs are being courted as tools for:
- Violent disruptions of rallies
- Intimidation of communities
- Enforcement of political loyalty
- Targeted attacks on rivals
Security analysts note that many of these groups “hibernate” until election periods, when they are reactivated for hire.
Arrests Not Enough — Criminals Keep Returning
Despite frequent arrests, the report paints a worrying trend of recidivism, where gang members return to crime shortly after being released — helped by weak community support systems and lucrative criminal enterprises.
However, intensified intelligence operations have disrupted some networks, and rehabilitation programs at the Coast have shown promise.
A National Crisis Demanding Urgent Action
The report calls for the government to urgently scale up multi-agency crackdowns, community policing, rehabilitative programs, and political accountability, noting that criminal gangs pose a direct threat to:
- National security
- Social stability
- Economic growth
- The integrity of elections
Security experts are urging the public to remain alert, noting that many gangs are now recruiting minors and using digital platforms to coordinate operations.
As the spotlight turns to Nairobi and the affected counties, Kenya confronts a stark reality: criminal networks are evolving faster than the systems designed to stop them.
And unless swift, coordinated action is taken, these gangs — from Jeshi Jinga and 42 Brothers to Team Mashamba and Gaza — may soon wield influence rivaling that of legitimate institutions.