A recent report has identified the Gaza gang, Superpower, and 40 Brothers as the most dangerous gangs operating in Nairobi.
The Gaza gang is based in Kayole, while Superpower operates in Eastleigh and 40 Brothers is spread across Eastlands.
Findings and Context ¶
A survey conducted by the University of Edinburgh, the Danish Institute Against Torture, and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit found that gangs and police are responsible for 43 percent and 25 percent of violence in urban slums, respectively.
The report highlights the practice of hero worship among criminal gangs, where they inscribe walls with the names of criminals killed by police, referring to them as "Fallen Soldiers".
According to Mwangaza Light Managing Director Catrine Shroff, this practice risks legitimizing lawlessness and alienating law enforcers, making it challenging to establish partnerships with the community to address violence.
The survey found that almost half of the perpetrators of violence reside within the immediate neighborhood, while 32 percent live outside the village.
Ms. Shroff noted that 41 percent of respondents had experienced violence since 2013, with 25 percent being victims themselves.
Response and Consequences ¶
The findings come amid concerns over the rising number of criminal gangs using social media platforms to coordinate their activities.
The report suggests that the Nyumba Kumi initiative, a government policing program, may not be effective in addressing violence in urban areas due to the nature of the violence being perpetrated at the household level.
The recovered account cited reporting by Nairobi News.
