Kenya’s Catholic Church Breaks Silence On Escalating Goonism, Political Violence
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has issued a warning about the country’s developing culture of political violence and the employment of goons.
Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Chairman of the KCCB, has advised Kenyan youth to shun leaders who exploit them to carry out violence.
Archbishop Muhatia noted that such politicians have neither the youth’s nor the country’s best interests at heart.
The bishops emphasized that the recent trend is a major threat to peace, democracy, and national security.
They talked during Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe’s installation as the second Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wote in Makueni County.
Catholic bishops slam ‘goon culture:
Catholic bishops alarmed by use of goons in political events
Muhatia: Young people, don’t allow yourselves to be misused
Muhatia: Refuse to be bought, refuse to be destroyed#CitizenWeekend pic.twitter.com/1osbm1hur8— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 18, 2026
Senior members of the Catholic clergy had gathered in Wote for the installation ceremony when they also turned their attention to the country’s growing security concerns.
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops Chairman Archbishop Maurice Muhatia expressed concern over what he described as the growing culture of political goons.
“Do not accept to be used, misused or abused by some of our unscrupulous leaders who do not mean well for you or for the country that we all love so much,” Archbishop Muhatia said.
“Don’t Allow Yourselves to be Misused as Goons!” Archbishop Muhatia BOLD Message to Kenyan Youths Amid Growing High Cases of Goonism in the Country as 2027 Nears pic.twitter.com/QUfLh8AXQu— Uzalendo News (@UzalendoNews_KE) July 18, 2026
The archbishop warned that those engaging in politically motivated violence were putting both themselves and the wider society at risk, while undermining the country’s democratic values.
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His remarks come against the backdrop of a recent surge in incidents involving unidentified armed men accused of disrupting by-elections, peaceful demonstrations and other public gatherings.
The incidents have raised alarm among Kenyans, with questions emerging over the apparent lack of decisive action by the agencies mandated to maintain law and order.
The bishops warned that if left unchecked, the growing use of politically sponsored goons could undermine constitutional institutions.
They also insisted that it would weaken public confidence in democratic processes and threaten the country’s stability.
The concerns have also been amplified by events witnessed during the recently concluded Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
The mini polls experienced a brazen show of armed groups and politically motivated violence that cast a shadow over the electoral process.
Kenya’s Catholic Church Breaks Silence On Escalating Goonism, Political Violence
