Organized gangs are increasingly being used as instruments of political competition in Kenya, threatening the credibility of the upcoming 2027 General Election.

• Experts warn that politically-connected youth groups can disrupt rallies, intimidate opponents, and influence voter participation through fear.
• Recruitment often involves small payments, with young men being lured for as little as Sh500 for simpler tasks and up to Sh5,000 for more dangerous assignments.
• Reports from organizations like the Kofi Annan Foundation project a high probability of electoral violence, citing unresolved grievances, economic hardship, and youth unemployment as major risks.
• Despite government assurances, the ease with which these groups can be mobilized digitally and the lack of accountability for perpetrators raise serious concerns.