Nairobi, Kenya — Thursday, 26 February 2026:
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed a troubling rise in vigilante violence across Kenya, reporting that 579 people have been killed due to mob justice since January 2025, and 266 others injured. The alarming figures were disclosed during a Senate plenary session on 25 February 2026, underlining growing concerns about public safety and the erosion of trust in formal justice systems.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed a troubling rise in vigilante violence across Kenya, reporting that 579 people have been killed due to mob justice since January 2025, and 266 others injured. The alarming figures were disclosed during a Senate plenary session on 25 February 2026, underlining growing concerns about public safety and the erosion of trust in formal justice systems.
📊 Scope of the Problem
According to statistics presented by Murkomen, 845 separate mob justice incidents were recorded nationwide over the past year. These episodes — often involving suspected criminals being attacked, beaten, and sometimes killed by crowds before formal investigations or arrests — reflect what officials describe as a deepening crisis of lawlessness.
The counties with the highest numbers of mob justice incidents include:
- Kiambu, with the most recorded cases — 90 incidents — and 58 resulting deaths.
- Nairobi, reporting 85 incidents and 55 fatalities.
- Embu and Kisumu also saw significant casualties.
- Smaller numbers of incidents were reported in Marsabit, Taita Taveta, and Tana River, each recording one incident that resulted in deaths.
💥 Why Mob Justice Is on the Rise
Murkomen told senators that a lack of trust in the criminal justice system is a key driver of the trend. Many Kenyans perceive police investigations and court proceedings as slow, ineffective, or biased, leading communities to take the law into their own hands. The release of suspects without timely prosecution has, in some cases, reinforced this sentiment.
Another significant factor is the influence of social media, where “instant justice” videos — graphic clips showing vigilante actions — are widely shared and can encourage copycat behaviour and normalize violence as a form of community justice.
Additional contributors include:
Murkomen told senators that a lack of trust in the criminal justice system is a key driver of the trend. Many Kenyans perceive police investigations and court proceedings as slow, ineffective, or biased, leading communities to take the law into their own hands. The release of suspects without timely prosecution has, in some cases, reinforced this sentiment.
Another significant factor is the influence of social media, where “instant justice” videos — graphic clips showing vigilante actions — are widely shared and can encourage copycat behaviour and normalize violence as a form of community justice.
Additional contributors include:
- Abuse of hard drugs, which can impair judgment and escalate violent behaviour.
- Poverty and youth unemployment, creating social frustrations and making violent responses to crime more common.
🔐 Government Response and Measures
The Interior Ministry said it is stepping up efforts to prevent mob justice and strengthen formal justice mechanisms. Measures introduced or expanded include:
The Interior Ministry said it is stepping up efforts to prevent mob justice and strengthen formal justice mechanisms. Measures introduced or expanded include:
- Enhanced police responsiveness, with officers deployed more quickly to emerging mob justice situations.
- Toll-free hotlines, including the “Fichua kwa DCI” service (0800 722 203), to allow citizens to report crimes before they escalate.
- Improved forensic and intelligence capabilities through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
- Stronger collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to support timely arrests and prosecutions.
- Community engagement programmes, including barazas and local forums, to build trust between police and citizens and discourage vigilante action.
Murkomen also highlighted plans to expand police training in crowd control, enhance communication technology for rapid response, and support public education campaigns to shift perceptions about justice and promote lawful reporting and prosecution of suspected crimes.
⚖️ Authorities Urge Calm and Rule of Law
In his address, the Interior CS reiterated that mob justice undermines the rule of law and can lead to the wrongful death of innocent people, warning that taking justice into one’s own hands not only violates human rights but also hampers community safety and social cohesion
⚖️ Authorities Urge Calm and Rule of Law
In his address, the Interior CS reiterated that mob justice undermines the rule of law and can lead to the wrongful death of innocent people, warning that taking justice into one’s own hands not only violates human rights but also hampers community safety and social cohesion
