Kondele Member of County Assembly (MCA) Joakim Okech has sounded alarm over rising wave of organised criminal gangs in Kisumu County, saying the trend has rapidly eroded democratic freedoms and threatening the lakeside city’s reputation as peace and investment hub.

Okech blamed both politicians and the government for the rise in political gangsterism, saying neither side can escape responsibility for the insecurity.

“I’ve seen the government blaming politicians and the politicians blaming the government. However, both parties are responsible for the rise of goonism in Kisumu,” he said.

Addressing journalists in Kisumu, the MCA linked the trend to high youth unemployment, noting that vulnerable young people were increasingly being recruited and paid to disrupt political activities.

“We have a lot of unemployed youths in Kisumu. Unemployment is not only a local issue; it is a countrywide issue. Youths who allow themselves to be misused are being weaponised by the political class,” he said.

In a rare admission, Okech acknowledged the role of leaders in perpetuating the vice and appealed to young people to resist inducements.

“Please, and I have to repeat this, please, don’t allow yourself to be used by politicians,” he said.

“Don’t let politicians use you for a token to cause harm or destroy property that belongs to our investors,” he added.

He warned that continued violence risks undoing years of progress that has positioned Kisumu as a peaceful and attractive destination for investment. Okech at the same time raised concern over what he described as shrinking democratic space. He said intolerance and intimidation are increasingly being used to silence dissenting voices.

“Kisumu is known as the hub of democracy. It is only in Kisumu where any leader will come and say whatever they want to say. But at this stage, we have a situation where people cannot talk freely,” he said.

He emphasised that freedom of expression must be protected by law and warned that the gains made over the years should not be reversed.

“The freedom of speech that we fought for should be allowed to thrive,” he said.

The MCA challenged the government to take firm and impartial action against perpetrators of violence, stressing that security agencies must uphold the rule of law.

“It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the residents of Kisumu are safe. Kenya is not a lawless country. Therefore, whoever breaks the law should be apprehended,” he said.

He called for arrest of those involved in recent attacks, including that on Vihiga Senator Godffrey Osotsi.

“Let the government stop gimmicks. All of them must be arrested. We have to show that we are a county of laws,” he said.

Okech further told the political class to exercise restraint, saying competition should not degenerate into violence.

“As we gear towards the campaign season, let us talk to our people and convince them to vote for us. We should not force them, beat them or torture them. I don’t see why people hire goons to cause mayhem,” he observed.

He called for tolerance among rival factions, insisting that all political players should be allowed to operate freely.

Okech, who declared his interest in the Kisumu Central Parliamentary seat insisted that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) must be treated as an equal partner in any coalition arrangement, calling for mutual respect in negotiations.

“ODM is an equal partner. When we go to the table, we are going to sit on the table as equals. It is going to be 50-50 sharing. We respect you but we must also be respected. Let us negotiate with honour,” he said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chris Mahandara