Homa Bay offers vital lesson on mainstreaming 'goons' to national security apparatus

Goons attack Linda Mwananchi convoy at Koduogo, Homa Bay County, on August 16, 2026. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Well, well, Homa Bay did not disappoint. I am not talking about the fujo that was kicked by hordes of men who were armed to the teeth and who barricaded roads and swung their clubs at anyone within reach. Their street term is “goon,” but I think time is ripe for us to consider a more appropriate term, like “alternative security arrangement.”

This is why. Deeper ramifications can be drawn from the political debacle that was staged in Homa Bay last weekend. The county is superintended by Gladys Wanga, who has emerged as one of the figureheads in the bread-based government. I heard it on the grapevine Wanga is destined for greater things, including being considered as Prezzo Ruto’s running mate next year.

While many Kenyans were miffed at the sorry state of roads in Homa Bay—which is one of the unintended consequences of live television—as opposition leaders detoured through backroads to escape the goons’ dragnet. It was a dust-raising spectacle. I don’t think such roads signal underdevelopment. They’re just different.

What I think was more fascinating was Homa Bay’s refreshing example: The goons, or alternative security arrangements, though mobilised to hurt or maim someone they might or might not know, assembled in main thoroughfares in the county. They did not hide.

They did not even try donning hoods and masks to disguise their identity. They considered their work proper and necessary job, so there was no need to hide.

Such confidence is admirable and I think we should go further and integrate goons in the national security apparatus. I think with proper training and a bit of remuneration, such goons could be deployed to augment the official security set-up. This suggestion is emboldened by a few other considerations: a) goons are already serving in the (in)security sector; b) goons know other goons and thieves, b) they would serve as a deterrence because thieves know them.

I suppose this sort of approach would solve unemployment challenges nationwide, as every inch of the nation has similar demographics who would help augment security in their own regions, while earning proper, even taxable income.