Chief Justice Martha Koome speaks at the launch of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) Strategic Plan 2026–2030 on November 3, 2026/SCREENGRAB

Chief Justice Martha Koome has challenged law enforcement agencies to target and prosecute individuals financing and organising gangs of goons instead of concentrating on arresting those carrying out acts of violence.

Koome said the people behind the recruitment and funding of goons should face serious criminal charges, including organised crime, arguing that powerful individuals were sustaining those involved in the violence.

Speaking during the launch of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) Strategic Plan 2026–2030, the Chief Justice said the sponsors were the people who should be held accountable for the growing cases of political violence.

“Goons are our children and are being sustained by somebody. Those are the people you should arrest and charge them with organised crime charges,” she said.

Koome argued that individuals directly involved in acts of violence often faced relatively minor charges, which could allow them to secure bail or bond, while those financing and coordinating the activities could face more serious offences.

“Because these others are petty crimes, the law is clear. When you charge them, we will give them bond or bail,” she said.

“But when you get the organisers themselves, and charge them with serious offences, I want to tell you we will take it seriously as Judiciary.”

She revealed that the Judiciary had gazetted a Serious Crime Division of the High Court, which she said would help in handling serious criminal cases.

Koome said the Judiciary was committed to ensuring that Kenya remained governed by the rule of law and the constitution, warning that political violence could undermine the rights and freedoms of citizens.

“We are serious in ensuring this is a country governed by the rule of law and the constitution. Working together, we will make Kenya safe and secure for everybody,” she said.

The Chief Justice said the increasing cases of violence were a concern because they could prevent Kenyans from freely exercising their democratic rights, particularly the right to vote ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Kenyans are concerned about violence because it can stand between us and exercising our right to vote. We are all concerned about the mushrooming of goons,” she said.

She urged security agencies to investigate the financial and organisational networks behind the groups, noting that the number of elective political positions available in the country was limited and could make it easier to establish those financing violence.

“There are only about 1,800 political positions available. These are areas that can be mapped easily. Who is bankrolling the goons?” she posed.

Koome also assured Kenyans that the Judiciary had no preferred candidates in the political contest, saying its responsibility was to safeguard the rule of law and ensure citizens could participate in elections without intimidation.

She further called on stakeholders to continue supporting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as preparations for the 2027 polls gather pace.