Confessions of a “Hired Political Goon”
Sly politicians are exploiting Kenya’s high unemployment rate to involve young people in illicit activities while promoting their selfish agendas.
The increasing presence of criminal gangs and violent demonstrations observed nationwide confirms the grim circumstances.
Nakuru City faces a similar challenge, as the rise in criminal behavior is closely linked to clandestine political agendas, as admitted by certain hired individuals.
A resident from Bahati Sub County in Nakuru, who prefers to be referred to as Waikwa (not his real name), expresses frustration with politicians whom he alleges are taking advantage of him and other young individuals.
Waikwa states that high-ranking politicians in the urban area approach them solely to coordinate protests or participate in political gatherings.
He mentions that although there are other employment opportunities available that the government could provide to young people, certain political figures prefer engaging in unsavory tasks as long as they attain their goals.
Waikwa alleges that the leaders are favoring their relatives and acquaintances for the limited positions available, thereby making youth like him feel disregarded, exploited, and marginalized.
Gossipa2z.com established that the youth are paid between Sh200 and Sh500 per day depending on the issue.
A mobilizer can get between Sh1,000 and Sh10,000 depending on the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter.
Those who address the press are also paid differently from Sh1,000 to Sh2,000.
In an interview with Gossipa2z.com, Waikwa expressed his frustration by revealing how these politicians exploit them for personal gain and then neglect their well-being once the ‘jobs’ are done.
“The most they do is to provide for our transportation to the venue of our operation and placards with information either for a certain cause or to support them. However, they do not care whether we have eaten or not, and after the event they leave us without any instruction on where to get our payments,” said Waikwa.
He recounted a recent incident where he and a group of about 60 men and women were mobilized to meet a politician in Bahati.
The politician tasked them with an immediate mission: organizing a demonstration at the Ministry of Lands registry offices on Moi Road the next day. However, they weren’t informed about the purpose of the protest until they reached the location.
Despite the uncertain circumstances, the young individuals proceeded with the plan, driven by the assurance of being compensated for their efforts the next day. They were even transported to the location in a rented vehicle.
Included in this group were street vendors, temporary workers in coffee plantations, and laborers at quarries, all of whom temporarily left their occupations to support the politician.
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The plan hit a snag when the coordinator didn’t appear, leaving them stranded and financially drained.
Between 9 am, when they reached the Lands offices, and 1 pm, the politician and his team of planners were conspicuously absent.
“He was to meet us in town and give us the necessary instructions on how the demonstration should happen. Though we did not negotiate the terms of payment we did not doubt since the sponsor had said they had enough money to facilitate the demos,” said Waikwa.
Feeling famished, exhausted, and disheartened, they resorted to the press to voice their complaints, alleging that the politician had deceived them and then avoided responsibility.
“We are hungry and without money. The said demonstration was not supposed to last this long, and we do not even know how we will get back home,” lamented Waikwa.
The enraged young people vowed to bring their demonstrations directly to the politician’s residence, demanding compensation.
Njoroge, a self-professed hired thug whose real name remains undisclosed, admitted to Gossipa2z.com that he felt remorseful for his involvement in pressuring a senior Lands official to sign land ownership papers for a property in the area. He expressed a commitment to adhering to the law and backing governmental endeavors.
“You know what, we are tired. We are not going to be used to cause chaos and demonstrations again. We are guilty of this vice and ask for forgiveness since it was circumstances that forced us to do what mhesh wanted,” said Njoroge.
In the meantime, a land surveyor disclosed that the recurrent deployment of these thugs had been creating disorder and interrupting operations at the registry.
He stated that specific individuals were employing thugs to pressure senior officials in the Lands department, especially concerning land acquisition issues.
“Any time these goons are brought here, ministry officials lock themselves in their offices following the confusion and tension that they usually create. They should stop and allow the officers to work,” said the officer.
At this moment, Nakuru County is facing a heightened presence of organized criminal groups, leading to fear and unrest in different communities throughout the area.
During January and February, individuals suspected of being thugs were reportedly employed to create chaos at Nakuru War Memorial Hospital in connection to an unresolved land ownership dispute currently under court jurisdiction. Despite security measures being implemented, unruly groups persist in carrying out their activities without facing consequences.
As a measure to eliminate these criminal factions, the Nakuru County Directorate of Criminal Investigations has called upon numerous politicians, including Members of Parliament, to undergo questioning regarding their suspected connections with the gangs.
Confessions of a “Hired Political Goon”
