SUMMARY

Mungiki was active as a one-sided actor against civilians due to three main strings of actions: First, Mungiki was active in the clashes following the December 2007 elections, second, the group used violence against civilians in the pursuit of their economic and criminal activities, and third, the organization targeted civilians to enforce their religious views.

The first series of one-sided violence used by Mungiki relates to the events after the general elections in late 2007 in Kenya. While already the campaign period was clouded by – often ethnic – violence, the general situation worsened after the elections. President Kibaki was declared winner, yet opposition candidate Odinga contested this result. This led to a chaotic situation during which supporters of both sides engaged in protests and violent clashes. The situation was resolved by a power-sharing deal in February 2008. Many suspect Mungiki to have enflamed violence during that period. In addition, it is known that Mungiki actively engaged in such election-related violence, including killing civilians.

The second type of Mungiki violence against civilians mainly concerned small shop owners and Matatu-drivers (minibus drivers). Mungiki was known to blackmail fees and protection money from residents and local businesses. Failure to do so led to harassment and the use of violence, including killings. More importantly, Mungiki over time took over parts of the Matatus in and around Nairobi. Matatu drivers unwilling to comply with Mungiki were systematically harassed, hindered to exercise their profession, and killed. As of 2007, Matatu drivers started to more actively defend their rights and openly oppose Mungiki in demonstrations. The group reacted with strong violence to such opposition.

Third, Mungiki engaged in violence against civilians in attempts to enforce their religious views. Violence in this line of action included the public shaming of women wearing mini-skirts and other “modern” fashion, the forced circumcisions of women often leading to death as well as the deliberate killing of non-Mungikis, usually members of the Lou and Luhya tribes.

Mungiki first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2007, when the one-sided violence resulted in at least 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached on 30 December that year when the group, only hours after the presidential vote was announced, entered Kariobangi village and killed 38 civilians of the Lou and Luhya tribes.