Untitled - Africa Centre for Open Governance

A research study by the International Peace Institute (IPI) released during the year painted a
very grim picture of the threat posed by organized crime in the country. 79 According to the
report, powerful transnational criminal networks constitute a direct threat to the state itself,
not through open confrontation but by penetrating State institutions through bribery and
corruption and by subverting or undermining them from within.
The report alleged that rampant corruption in the police, Judiciary, and other state institutions
has facilitated criminal networks’ penetration of political institutions, such that endemic
corruption and powerful transnational criminal networks are “white-anting” state institutions
and public confidence in them. The study found that increased volumes of heroin and cocaine
are being transited through Kenya, using networks involving Kenyans who have strong links
with members of the law enforcement agencies and the Judiciary. It identified a trend whereby
drug money is used to help the corrupt attain positions of influence, particularly in politics.
The report noted that Mombasa port has become notorious for its abuse by organized crime
networks for the smuggling of drugs, counterfeit goods, and other illicit commodities. Wellconnected
business people and top politicians including, allegedly, an assistant minister, three
members of Parliament, several political activists with connections to senior politicians, and two
former members of Parliament in Mombasa are suspected of controlling networks involving
police, customs, immigration officials and clearing and forwarding agents, among others.
On human trafficking and smuggling, Kenya was reported to be, not only a source but also a
destination country for men, women and children being trafficked for forced labour and sex
trade, as well as a transit point for an estimated 20,000 Somali and Ethiopian male migrants
smuggled from the Horn of Africa to South Africa every year. Corrupt police and immigration
officers facilitate the trafficking in collaboration with “respected” and well-known figures in
society who operate “legitimate” businesses with connections with top government and
political figures. It has been reported that the Government is now making efforts to curb
trafficking through enacting legislation to prosecute trafficking and establishing anti-trafficking
campaigns and offices, housed in the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Services. 80
79 Peter Gastrow, “Termites at Work: Transnational Organized Crime and State Erosion in Kenya,” New York: International
Peace Institute, October 2011. Also available at http://www.africog.org/partners/termites-work-transnationalorganized-crime-and-state-erosion-kenya
80 United States Department of State, “2011 Trafficking in Persons Report-Kenya,” June 2011
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