PS Omollo: Use of Gangs and Violence Not an Option in Politics

Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has cautioned politicians against using violence as a tool of mobilisation, insisting that persuasion, not intimidation, must define Kenya’s politics.

The warning comes amid heightened political activity, with authorities on alert over youth being drawn into criminal gangs and political violence.

“Violence cannot be a currency for politics. Politicians must lead by persuasion, not intimidation. Even as we tackle youth unemployment, crime is not the alternative. We are creating job opportunities in Affordable Housing and digital programs to help fix this,” Dr Omollo said on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

At the same time, Dr Omollo revealed that the government has tabled amendments in Parliament seeking tighter regulation of the alcohol sector. He noted that liquor outlets are increasingly springing up near schools and residential areas, exposing minors to early drinking.

“We have tabled an amendment to law in Parliament to regulate the Alcohol sector. Unlike before when nightlife was confined to town, liquor stores now sit near schools and estates. It’s time for a candid conversation on designated drinking zones so as to protect minors,” he said.

The proposed changes come as the Interior Ministry intensifies a crackdown on illicit brews across the country, with hundreds of bars shut down in recent weeks.

On security, Dr Omollo also announced a breakthrough in Kerio Valley, where more than 40 firearms were voluntarily surrendered on Thursday in the government’s ongoing disarmament exercise.

“More than 40 guns were surrendered in Kerio Valley today,” he said, hailing the move as a step forward in restoring peace in the banditry-prone region.

The government has been running multi-agency operations in the North Rift, combining security patrols with development projects aimed at dissuading communities from violence and cattle rustling.

Read: PS Raymond Omollo Promises Justice For Albert Ojwang

>>> Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo Hails Kenyan Fans As True Heroes Of CHAN 2024