Crime Must Fall: Youth Warned Against Being Used in 2027 Election Violence

Story by Evans Mutinda & Monyonge O’kebati

Young Kenyans have been challenged to reject political hooliganism and take a leading role in preventing crime as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during a youth advocacy walk On Friday 11th September, dubbed “Crime Must Fall”, Professional Criminologists Association of Kenya Youth Envoy and Director, Outreach and Liaison, Michael Kiarie, said young people must refuse to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence.

Under the theme “Youth Shaping a Safer Kenya,” the campaign seeks to promote community responsibility in fighting crime and strengthening community policing.

Kiarie said the youth, who form the majority of Kenya’s population, have a critical role in maintaining peace and security in their communities.

“Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. We all have a role, especially the youth, being the majority in this country,” he said.

He warned young people against remaining silent when they witness crimes, saying such indifference could eventually expose them or their families to danger.

“If you see somebody being attacked or mugged and remain silent, today it may be them, tomorrow it will be you,” Kiarie said.

He urged Kenyans to abandon the notion that security is solely the responsibility of police officers, insisting that communities must actively participate in protecting their neighbourhoods.

“Kusema tu ni kazi ya askari ni kazi yetu wote,” he said, stressing the need for effective community policing.

Election violence warning

With political temperatures expected to rise ahead of next year’s General Election, Kiarie singled out political hooliganism as one of the major threats facing young people.

He urged the youth not to allow themselves to be recruited into violent political activities.

“When you are called upon to participate in hooliganism, as you throw that stone, you are going to hit your brother or your cousin,” he warned.

Kiarie said the consequences of political violence eventually return to the same communities where young people are recruited to cause chaos.

He also challenged the youth to stay away from drug abuse, addiction and other forms of crime, while exercising responsibility on digital platforms.

He cautioned young people against using social media to spread inflammatory messages, saying responsible digital citizenship was equally important in preventing conflict.

Kiarie said the campaign was informed by research and observations by young criminologists on emerging crime trends and the need for communities to take preventive action.

He said crime flourishes where residents remain silent about suspicious or criminal activities.

“If we collectively take responsibility within our communities, we will have safer communities,” he said.

He gave the example of vandalism of security infrastructure, warning residents against ignoring the destruction of security lights and other public safety installations.

“If you see somebody breaking that security light within your area, tomorrow that is the place you will be mugged if you do not stop them from destroying the solar system put there by the government,” he said.

The campaign is calling for greater youth involvement in community safety, stronger neighbourhood vigilance and closer cooperation between citizens and security agencies.

Kiarie said young people should see themselves not merely as beneficiaries of security but as active partners in preventing crime and building a safer Kenya.