AfriPulse
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sounded the alarm over a spike in vigilantism, revealing that Kenya has recorded 845 mob justice incidents since January 2025. Appearing before the Senate during a plenary session, Murkomen detailed a grim landscape of lawlessness that has already claimed 579 lives and left 266 others with serious injuries.
The statistics highlight a brutal trend of “instant justice” that bypasses formal legal structures, often resulting in public humiliation and fatal violence before any investigation can occur.
Kiambu and Nairobi Lead in Rising Violence
The data paints a sobering picture of urban and peri-urban insecurity. Kiambu County currently holds the highest number of reported cases at 90, resulting in 58 deaths. Nairobi follows closely with 85 incidents and 55 fatalities.
Other regions facing significant surges include:
Embu: 51 cases (33 deaths)
Kisumu: 45 cases (36 deaths)
Kirinyaga: 39 cases (28 deaths)
Kakamega: 32 cases (19 deaths)
In stark contrast, counties such as Marsabit, Taita Taveta, and Tana River reported only a single incident each, though all three cases ended in fatalities.
Why is Vigilantism on the Rise?
Responding to concerns raised by Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Murkomen identified a deep-seated mistrust in the criminal justice system as a primary driver of the violence. Many citizens perceive the courts and police as slow or biased, leading them to bypass the law entirely.
“The release of suspects often reinforces the perception that the justice system is ineffective, prompting communities to take the law into their own hands,” Murkomen told senators.
The Cabinet Secretary also pointed to the dangerous role of social media. He noted that the spread of “instant justice” videos encourages copycat behavior, making extreme violence seem like a socially acceptable way to resolve disputes. Furthermore, the abuse of hard drugs continues to impair judgment, fueling impulsive and lethal mob actions.
Government Strategy: Hotlines and Rapid Response
To curb the bloodshed, the Ministry of Interior has rolled out a multi-agency strategy focused on education and technology. National government officers are currently training the public on the legal necessity of surrendering suspects to the police rather than attacking them.
Key measures currently in place include:
Emergency Standby Teams: Every police station must now maintain a dedicated team ready to intervene in mob justice situations.
The IC3 System: Police are expanding the use of the Integrated Command, Control, and Communication system to decrease response times.
Anonymous Reporting: The public is encouraged to use the Fichua kwa DCI hotline (0800 722 203) to report suspicious activity before it escalates into violence.
A Plea for the Rule of Law
Murkomen cautioned that while public frustration is evident, vigilantism creates a cycle of violence that often claims the lives of innocent people. He urged Kenyans to work with law enforcement rather than undermining the very systems meant to protect them.
“Concerns have been raised over the rising incidents of mob justice. These cases often involve violent attacks, public humiliation, and, in some instances, fatalities before suspects can be formally investigated or prosecuted,” he stated.
Source: NairobiWire.com | Read the Full Story…
