By Billy Mijungu
We must decide, as a country, the direction we want to take. It is deeply troubling that goons now seem to be everywhere, present in almost every political gathering and public space and even now the worsed is church, a place of solace.
Politics must remain civil. Every citizen has a right to speak, to assemble, and to express their views without fear. Over the weekend, there were reports of goons disrupting events in Kisumu, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bomet, and Embakasi. These groups appear emboldened, some allegedly acting with political encouragement, others possibly enjoying silent state protection. This trend, if left unchecked, risks normalizing violence as a political tool.
We are staring at a problem that could take years to undo if we allow this culture to take root. We must resist the temptation to weaponize youth and desperation for short term political gain. At the same time, we must take collective responsibility and clean up a political system that is becoming dirtier by the day.
The police know the individuals who repeatedly disrupt public order. It is time to act decisively within the law. Known perpetrators of political violence should be barred from polling areas and political gatherings. Anyone who feels unfairly targeted can seek redress in court to clear their name. Accountability must apply to all, regardless of affiliation.
If we fail to act now, we risk raising a generation that believes violence is a legitimate path to power. That would be a tragic betrayal of our democratic aspirations, the same problem where money is seen as only path to power and people are stealing alot of it.