This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
Kenya's Sungu Sungu Vigilante Gang: A Year of Mayhem and Murders ¶
Published on December 27, 2019
Residents of Kisii, Kenya, live in fear of the Sungu Sungu vigilante gang, which has been responsible for a spate of killings and intimidation in the region.
The gang, which claims to be a community policing group, has been operating with impunity, killing and brutalizing residents who they deem to be criminals.
According to sources, the gang has set up its own cells and offices, where they detain and interrogate suspects, often using excessive force.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the tale of how his father was killed by the gang and how they demanded a 'funeral authority fee' of over Sh10,000 before allowing them to bury him.
'They killed our father, who was the breadwinner, and demanded over Sh10,000 in order to allow us to bury him,' the son said.
Another resident, who was brutalized by the gang, said they were 'cane until they passed out' and were left impotent.
The gang's activities have left the police seemingly powerless to stop them, with one source saying that 'our hands are tied because we are small people in their view since they have the blessings of politicians.'
Despite the killings, the police have not made any arrests, and the gang continues to operate with impunity.
Residents are calling on the authorities to deploy more police officers in the affected areas and ensure law and order is observed.
