A report released by National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has revealed that 90 percent of organized criminal gangs in the country are financed and deployed by politicians.
According to NCIC, the report was conducted in 15 counties of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Bungoma, Siaya, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyamira, Narok, Kisii, Bomet and Nyeri.
The report found out that there are 116 organized criminal gangs in 15 counties with 90 percent of their activities being driven by either politicians or relatives to politicians.
In 2016, the Ministry of Interior blacklisted 90 groups it considered as criminal gangs but according to the report, most of them have rebranded and adopted other names.
The dreaded Mungiki gang is said to have rebranded to Quails while the Sabaot Land Defense has metamorphosed to the 40 Brothers.
The report found out that majority of members in these gangs are aged between 15 and 35 five years, making up 35 percent composition across the groups.
In some groups, children as young as 11 years have been incorporated and are used to carry out criminal activities including attacks.
Mombasa County has in the recent days witnessed the mushrooming of organized criminal gangs that have been terrorizing locals with some attacking during the day.
Bungoma County has witnessed the resurrection of the dreaded Sabaot Land Defense which killed more than 40 people in the last three months.