Youth Unemployment and Criminal Gang Recruitment Raise Alarm
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has warned that rising youth unemployment and increasing political mobilisation could heighten the risk of criminal gang activity and electoral violence ahead of the next General Election.
Speaking in Nairobi during the Commission’s briefing on election preparedness, Ethekon said Kenya is facing emerging security challenges that must be addressed urgently and decisively to safeguard the electoral process.
He noted that a growing number of young people are being drawn into “gunism” and criminal gangs, often as a result of economic hardship and deliberate mobilisation by political actors seeking to advance their interests through violence and intimidation.
“We know as a country we are faced with challenges, emerging challenges, of course the issues of our young people sometimes participating in this phenomenon called gunism and of course joining these criminal gangs and being mobilized by political actors,” Ethekon said.
IEBC Vows Firm Action and Security Collaboration
He stressed that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has taken a firm position on the matter, working closely with security agencies to curb electoral violence before it escalates.
According to Ethekon, young people are not inherently violent but are often exploited by individuals who “demand their services” during politically charged periods.
“These young people on their own do not engage in political violence. They are people who have the demand for their services. And of course being unemployed and facing some of the challenges, then they are likely to engage in these activities for survival,” he said.
Ethekon called for a dual approach targeting both the supply and demand sides of political violence. He urged investigative agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), to identify and prosecute those who finance and mobilise violence against citizens.
“We need to find out who are these people who demand these services. Who are these people who are mobilizing violence against other Kenyans in the name of contesting?” he posed.
Political Competition Must Be Based on Ideas, Not Intimidation
He questioned the logic of candidates seeking public office through intimidation and disruption, arguing that political competition should be based on persuasion rather than coercion or destruction of property and livelihoods.
“Why don’t you talk to them, convince them, tell them your policies, your agenda for them, instead of mobilizing them to disrupt other people’s lives and of course property and businesses?” he said.
Ethekon further warned that IEBC will enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct strictly once the campaign period begins. He added that candidates linked to violence could face disqualification if credible evidence is established.
“As we declare the election period, we will also take decisive action, including disqualifying some of those people whom we will have information about their activities in perpetrating violence in this country,” he said.
He emphasized that IEBC will work closely with security agencies to ensure accountability and maintain peace throughout the electoral cycle.
