Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised alarm over the growing threat of organized gangs in the country, saying that criminal groups are becoming more structured, funded by politicians and harder to dismantle.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s security committee on Tuesday, Murkomen said authorities have identified more than 100 organized gangs operating across Kenya, most of them concentrated in major towns and cities.

He told MPs that these groups are no longer informal street outfits but have transformed into sophisticated and adaptive criminal networks under the orders of elected leaders .

According to the CS, the gangs are deeply embedded in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, illicit alcohol trade, extortion and land-related crimes.

Murkomen pointed to land disputes as a key area where criminal groups are active, alleging that land grabbers are working closely with gangs to illegally take over property in regions including Machakos, Mavoko, Kitale, Nakuru, Kakamega and Nairobi.

He further claimed that political interference is undermining efforts to curb the problem, particularly when suspects are arrested.

“Whenever suspects are arrested and taken to court, politicians turn around to claim youth are being targeted and move to bail them out,” Murkomen said.

To counter the threat, the Interior Ministry says it is strengthening surveillance systems and improving command infrastructure in areas identified as gang hotspots, especially in urban centres.

However, the CS cautioned that enforcement alone will not be enough to solve the problem.

He urged a broader approach that includes legal reforms, economic empowerment programmes and rehabilitation efforts for affected youth.

Murkomen called for a long-term, multi-dimensional strategy, noting that tackling the root causes of crime will be critical in dismantling the networks and preventing new ones from emerging.