Kenya: Rights groups warn of growing ‘goon’ culture

Kenyan politicians have begun hiring impoverished young men as 'goons' to intimidate rivals, disrupt demonstrations and suppress civic activism.

Kenya is an illiberal democracy with a lot of potential. It is on the cusp and could transition to a free and very prosperous society if the saner and more liberal aspects of its society were to consolidate. But it could also slip and backslide hard. In 2008, Kenya was plagued by widespread post-election ethnic violence that saw hundreds killed.

The article discusses the danger that rising goon culture poses to Kenyan democracy with elections coming next year.

Another article on the same topic: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260713-kenya-s-goons-a-world-of-political-violence-and-desperation