Former LSK President Faith Odhiambo/HANDOUT
Odhiambo, in a statement on Monday, argued that the recent armed robbery at a restaurant in Nairobi's Westlands is a symptom of a deeper national security problem rather than an isolated criminal incident.
She opined that the robbery reflects the consequences of years of political leaders allegedly normalising the use of armed youth and hired goons during political activities.
She warned that weapons introduced into politics eventually find their way into communities, increasing insecurity for all Kenyans.
"Armed robbery in a Westlands restaurant is not an isolated crime story but the logical outcome of years of normalising goons and weapons at political rallies," she said.
According to Odhiambo, once young people are armed for political purposes, the weapons do not remain confined to campaign rallies but spread into public spaces, including restaurants, churches, residential estates and other areas frequented by ordinary citizens.
She noted that Kenya has previously experienced a similar pattern in which politicians allegedly relied on gangs to advance political interests, only for those criminal groups to become entrenched in society and turn against the very communities they once served.
"Once you arm young people for politics, those guns and crude weapons don't remain at the rally. They migrate into our streets, churches, restaurants and estates, turning every space into a potential battlefield for hired violence and organised crime," she stated.
She described the trend as a direct threat to the constitutional rights of Kenyans, including the right to personal security and the freedom to participate or decline to participate in politics without fear of intimidation or violence.
Odhiambo urged the State to dismantle political militias, recover illegal weapons and hold accountable any leaders found to be recruiting or mobilising youth for violent political activities.
"I add my voice to demand that the State decisively dismantle political goonism, disarm militias and hold to account any leaders who mobilise youth for violence instead of ideas," she said.
She further warned that rising armed criminality threatens every Kenyan regardless of political affiliation, social status or place of residence, urging citizens to speak out against violence and support efforts to restore law, order and public safety.
Her remarks come amid growing public concern over incidents of armed crime and increasing calls for stronger measures to address political violence and illegal firearms in the country.
