Fear and lawlessness: How 309 gangs are terrorising counties

As dusk falls over parts of Kenya, fear takes over. Markets shut early, mosques grow quieter, and residents retreat behind locked doors not from a curfew, but from gangs.

A new report paints a grim picture of communities held hostage by organised crime, revealing that criminal gangs have not only survived but thrived, spreading across major counties and tightening their grip on daily life.

The state-backed report by the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) uncovers the presence of at least 309 active criminal gangs operating across 11 counties.

Mombasa tops the list with 73 gangs, followed closely by Nairobi (56) and Kilifi (47) Garissa (31), Kwale (29), Busia (29), Bungoma (28), Machakos (28), Nakuru (27), Kisumu (22), and Kiambu (20) also face similar threats.

Among the gangs mentioned are some with a widespread and deeply entrenched presence, such as Gaza/Gaza Family, 42 Brothers, Wakali Wao, Panga Boys, Chafu/Squad Chafu/Gang Chafu, and Mungiki.

These groups are linked to brutal attacks, drug trafficking, extortion, and manipulation of local politics and business.

The report identifies Mombasa as a flashpoint for gang violence, with notorious groups like Gaza, Squad Chafu, Scoris, Bulla Mzuri, Kayole gang, Squad Marashi, and Bada posing major threats.

These gangs are blamed for disrupting businesses and driving fear into neighbourhoods.

"Intimidation and threats against local community members are very common. We have witness accounts of gang activity at odd hours, increased attacks on business premises, and public outcry concerning safety, particularly among those attending morning prayers in nearby mosques," an Assistant County Commissioner says in the report.

In Garissa, the study links gang activities to rising drug use and criminal cases such as murder, robbery, and sexual violence, particularly among school dropouts and minors.

The situation has left families worried and local leaders overwhelmed.

Bungoma County presents a disturbing case where the gang known as 11 Brothers is said to operate at night, harvesting crops and intimidating villagers.

The fear is so strong that some residents have stopped reporting crimes altogether.

Others have formed vigilante groups to protect themselves.

According to the report, some businesspeople and politicians are even relying on gangs to settle scores, further deepening the crisis.

In Nairobi, gangs have extended their reach into everyday life. Markets, the transport industry, ICT, housing, education, and even finance are now affected.

"Their activities include gambling, perpetuating M-Pesa fraud, cyberbullying, sending threatening messages, controlling matatu and motorbike stages, extorting traders in markets, charging for construction materials at sites, and radicalising young boys in schools," the report notes.

Nakuru County is facing similar challenges, with gangs infiltrating the transport system, especially the matatu and bodaboda sectors.

They are also targeting school children and engaging in cybercrime and illegal fishing. Criminal gangs have also found a place in the wildlife and market industries.

In addition to spreading geographically, gangs have adapted and bounced back after police crackdowns.

The report reveals that criminal networks continue to expand in Mombasa, Kiambu, Busia, Nakuru, Garissa, Kisumu, Kilifi, Nairobi, Kwale, Bungoma, and Machakos.

According to the document, Garissa and Nakuru each harbour five of the most feared gangs, while Kiambu, Kisumu, Machakos, and Kilifi have four each.

Mombasa, Nairobi, Bungoma, and Busia follow closely with three, and Kwale has one.

These gangs are known for their cruelty, often using pangas, poisoned arrows, and other crude weapons.

Some are deeply involved in the drug trade and have links to powerful individuals, including rogue police officers and politicians.

Their ability to intimidate and recruit with ease has made them difficult to dismantle.

Most of their members are young men with a history of drug use and limited schooling.

Many were lured in by poverty, broken homes, peer pressure, and the promise of money or protection.

In some communities, gang activity is tolerated or even accepted. This has made it easier for criminal groups to grow.

Political interests have also played a role in recruitment, while gaps in law enforcement and poor service delivery have further weakened efforts to fight back.

The study highlights the extent to which criminal gangs have infiltrated key sectors, with security, public transport, and the drug trade being the most affected.

Their activities now range from robbery and assault to drug trafficking and murder.

They have developed new ways to avoid detection and operate under the radar, often with support from locals.

"These dynamics have made gang-related crime a persistent and complex security threat," the document states.

The report recommends better access to public services in low-income areas to give youth alternatives to crime. It also calls for stronger law enforcement responses, including more patrols, improved intelligence gathering, and community policing.

Other proposals include protecting witnesses and informants to encourage them to speak up, enforcing stricter bail conditions for repeat offenders, and encouraging religious groups to preach against gang activity.

There is also a strong emphasis on youth empowerment and job creation as long-term solutions.