Attack on Senator Osotsi exposes rising political goonism

The violent assault on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi in Kisumu has sparked a political storm, reviving long-standing fears that organised goonism is being weaponised in country’s political arena.

Chilling CCTV footage obtained from a Kisumu Java House restaurant shows a group of about 20 young men surrounding the senator and questioning his political stance on the “one-term presidency” before beating him. He was later airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment.

The incident is not being treated as an isolated act of thuggery. Leaders who have condemned it described the attack as a “calculated message” from powerful interests, pointing to a growing culture of political intolerance and rising insecurity in the country.

Osotsi, who broke his silence on Thursday, said he was the target of an assassination attempt, insisting that the attack was politically motivated.

“…they started hitting me, asking me, ‘Why are you supporting a one-term presidency? Why are you not supporting President William Ruto?’ One of them had drawn a gun to shoot me, but my bodyguard also drew his,” said Osotsi, speaking during a visit by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

The incident comes against the backdrop of  Osotsi’s vocal criticism of the government and his recent removal as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) deputy party leader, further lending weight to claims by the ODM Linda Mwananchi faction that the State, through the use of goons, is orchestrating violence to silence dissenting voices.

Political analysts warn that the now “liberalised” goon economy in Kenya poses a serious threat to security and democracy, urging swift action before the situation escalates further.

Historian Prof Macharia Munene notes that the use of organised goons is not new, but says it has evolved and become more visible compared to former President Daniel Moi’s era, when groups such as the feared Jeshi la Mzee, also known as Kamjesh, were reportedly active.

Jeshi la Mzee, which translates to “the Old Man’s Army,” was a gang of political thugs notorious for intimidating and violently attacking opponents. Former Assistant Minister Fred Gumo, who was accused of organising and financing the group, has repeatedly rejected the claims and denied any involvement in the violent activities attributed to Jeshi la Mzee.

In March 2002, following a wave of brutal killings in a Nairobi slum that left about 20 people dead, the government banned 18 youth gangs and vigilante groups, including Jeshi la Mzee.

“If you look at every administration since Independence, you will find that some form of goonism has existed and has now evolved into the scourge it is today. You would find questionable and rough characters called youth wingers who were only identified at the party level, not at the government level,” says Macharia.

Escalated 

During Moi’s era, he explains, such groups were present and, at times, acknowledged within political structures and even state-linked institutions such as the police. In the latter years of President Moi’s rule, some of the most prominent included Mungiki, Kamjesh and Chinkororo. They were often tolerated and, at times, allegedly manipulated by semi-state actors.

“The Mungiki has, however, proven to be a fluid organisation; at times seen as working with the government and at other times being aggressively pursued. Former Minister John Michuki managed to legally crack down on the group, but in recent times there have been claims of its resurgence and alleged links with the Ruto administration, especially during periods when concerns were raised about government performance,” avers Munene.

Politicians such as the late Raila Odinga have also previously been accused of using goons, including the so-called “men in black” during a key delegates’ conference in 2016.

Prof Munene regrets that under the current administration, “the whole goonism phenomenon has gone out of proportion to the extent that you cannot report incidents at a police station because you might find your attackers there.

“In the current administration, the use of organised criminal gangs appears to have escalated. There is even no attempt to conceal it by the State or politicians. They are using special groups or officers to inflict violence on Kenyans and enforce political will.”

The United Opposition has since condemned the attack, with Kalonzo claiming that Osotsi was a victim of a targeted political assault by individuals intent on weakening the opposition.

Kalonzo also intensified the political blame game, accusing Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo of being behind the deployment of goons against dissenting political leaders. He called for his resignation, arguing that he had demonstrated incompetence and warned that legal action would follow if he refused to step down.

“Omollo’s name is plainly before Kenyans. These are his own goons, and the police report to him. If he does not resign, then his boss, President Ruto, should fire him,” asserted Kalonzo.

However, speaking in Lodwar, Turkana County, yesterday, the PS denied any government involvement with goons or criminal gangs.

“Criminal gangs and political goonism is a national challenge and will not be tolerated. Any individual who engages in or facilitates such acts will be held accountable in accordance with the law,” he said in a statement to newsrooms.

A closer look at recent political history also shows that political patronage has contributed to the proliferation of hired gangs and organised goons, with the opposition often bearing the brunt, from attacks on church events attended by members of the United Opposition to disruptions at rallies of the Linda Mwananchi faction in various parts of the country. The shadow of alleged state-linked militia continues to raise concerns over political tolerance ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Dangerous territory

Security and governance expert Eric Okeyo warns that the country is edging towards dangerous territory, cautioning that rising political violence signals deeper instability.

“The danger we are courting is of a failed state and another Haiti. What is worrying is that this is happening 15 months to the general election… if not controlled, the chaos risks spiralling to where youth will knock down people’s homes and demand food,” he says.

He adds that politicians have increasingly courted goons, arguing that firm action by security agencies would already have contained the trend. “If the government’s security leadership were serious about restoring order months to a general election, we would be seeing leaders attending rallies with goons arrested,” he notes.

As of January 2026, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reported that he had been attacked by alleged State-backed goons a record 23 times, with his rallies repeatedly disrupted.

Among the cited incidents is the Witima ACK church attack on January 26 in Othaya, Nyeri County, where he and his team were attending a service. The chaos reportedly involved tear gas and live bullets, leaving worshippers trapped inside while vehicles outside were set ablaze. Gachagua later claimed the incident was an assassination attempt against him.

Other incidents include the disruption of a church service at AIPCA Kiamworia on January 11, the attack on his convoy in Sagana on January 9, the disruption of his rally in Nyeri on January 8, and the blocking of his entry into Narok by police on November 24, 2025.

“These attacks have occurred across multiple counties, often in the presence of police officers, and in several instances with the apparent participation or acquiescence of officers of the National Police Service,” opposition leaders said in an address to the Inspector General of Police.

Political analyst Herman Manyora says many leaders have become entangled in what he terms the “goonism business,” often under the guise of protection, warning it has become a ticking time bomb.

He adds that political expediency worsens the situation, noting that hired groups often turn against their sponsors when no longer useful.