Political activist Morara Kebaso has issued a sharp warning over what he describes as the creeping normalisation of armed youth in Kenya’s political activities.
His statement, shared on X, comes at a time when concerns about election-related violence are resurfacing ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Kebaso criticised the trend of politicians relying on groups of youthful supporters who, according to him, operate as informal enforcers during political engagements.
He argued that the involvement of such groups, especially when they appear to enjoy police protection, sends the wrong signal to the political class.
In his post, Kebaso said the practice effectively encourages leaders to assemble their own defensive groups instead of relying on official security structures.
Kenya has faced similar concerns in the past, particularly during the 2007–2008 post-election crisis and in several by-elections where youth gangs were accused of intimidating voters.
Kebaso warned that this pattern risks creating a system in which political competition is influenced by coercion rather than democratic principles.
According to Kebaso, the reliance on armed youth could evolve into an organised economy built around political violence.
He said jobless young people may be drawn into these networks with the promise of income, eventually forming gangs that could outgrow their political patrons.
In his post, he further stated that such groups may later transform into more structured outfits capable of challenging state authority.
Kebaso also cautioned that once these gangs gain a foothold, they could exploit ethnic tensions or external interests, making them harder to contain.
He noted that political actors who adopt these tactics are exposing the country to long-term instability.
“You are playing with a grenade the way a child plays with a toy,” he wrote, describing the potential consequences.
The activist called for accountability within political parties and urged leaders to distance themselves from practices that promote insecurity.
He also emphasised the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms to discourage the recruitment of youth for politically motivated violence.