Kenyan Politicians Pay 500-1,000 Shillings Daily to Hire Groups to Disrupt Opponents' Rallies

Kenyan politicians are hiring armed individuals at daily rates between 500 and 1,000 Kenyan shillings to disrupt opponents ahead of national elections scheduled for 2027. A study by the Nairobi-based research firm Odipo Dev documented the pay scale, with the lower rate applying to work for local councilors and the higher rate for members of parliament.

Groups of dozens or hundreds are recruited at a time.

The individuals, referred to as goons, are assigned to break up rallies held by political opponents and protesters and to attack civil rights groups. Police often turn a blind eye to these activities. The pattern reflects both widespread poverty and intense competition among political actors in the period leading to the vote.