The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has launched a book entitled, " The Impact of Organized Gangs on Social Cohesion in Kenya at the Sarova Stanley Hotel.
In a research that was conducted between November 2016 and June 2017 found that organized gangs are proliferating and almost 90% are mobilized, financed and deployed by politicians and are a key factor to social disintegration.
Dr. Sellah King'oro, Assistant Director NCIC and the lead researcher presented the findings and stated that there is an increase proliferation of organized gangs amid continued operation of outlawed criminal groups.
A total of 116 new organized gangs that participated in political violence were identified in the 15 Counties alone. She also noted that there is a strong patronage by politicians, business people and government officials.
The study revealed 88.9 of the respondents named politicians as the main financiers, mobilizers and beneficiaries of the gangs activities.In her presentation, she highlighted the incorporation of children, women and people with disability in the gang activities. Ex-convicts and ex-servicemen were also noted as contributers to the growth of gangs in Kenya.
The research found that organized gangs have a negative impact on social cohesion at both the community and national levels with 69.2% affirming this assertion.
The gangs engage in violence, smuggling of fire arms, violence targeted at political rivals, hate speech, extortion, drug trafficking and are a prime target of terrorist groups.
To address the increase of gangs, the research proposed strengthing of community policing, investment in the social welfare of both skilled and unskilled youth, reviewing of the NCIC Act (no. 12 of 2008), undertake systematic clean up of arm in circulation, adopt systematic, comprehensive and regular profiling of gangs, strengthen the implementation of the integrity and ethics Act, enhance public awareness on national values and partnering with Civil societies to implement peace and cohesion projects among other reccommendations.
The research found out that Kisumu, Bungoma, Mombasa and Nairobi are the most affected by organized gangs.
The event was also graced by NCIC Chairperson Hon. Francis Kaparo, Chief Administrative Secretary Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Hon. Rachel Shebesh and Houghton Irungu, Director, Amnesty international.
The research was supported by NCIC and Open Society Foundation