Millions of Kenyans have cast their votes in the countries 12th General Election, labelled the most competitive election in the history of Kenya.

But as Kenya’s history has shown - the more fierce the political contest, the higher the risk of election-related violence, often carried out by gangs and militias at the behest of politicians, with the aim of influencing the outcome of an election.

In this episode Lindy will explore the role organised criminal gangs play in determining political outcomes.

Presenter: Lindy Mtongana

Guests:

Ken Opala, Field Network Coordinator for East and Southern Africa, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime

Gregory Ochieng Onyango - a Kenyan activist and an artist.

Esther Njeri Kimani is the CEO of Art4Rights Kenya - a community based organisation in Nakuru that uses art to advocate for human rights.

Additional Links:

Resilience Dialogue - Safeguarding Kenyan elections from criminal interference is urgent

(Paper) The Politics of Crime: Kenya's gang phenomenon

GI-TOC Resilience Fund

The Global Organized Crime Index - Kenya Profile

Global Assassination Monitor

Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime