A wave of violence has unsettled residents of Nairobi’s Eastlands, centered on Umoja Estate and neighboring areas. Teenage boys some just 10 to 15 years old are forming gangs, known locally as “mbogi”. They fight with knives and post violent videos online. The impact is real and worrying.
According to Standard Media, Locals say the gangs spring up quickly and harshly. Peter Nyawanda, a community leader, reports that they coerce children into joining.
“They attack if they try recruiting you, and if you leave, they come for you,” he says.
A tragic incident has heightened tensions. A 15-year-old boy was fatally injured in a scuffle over a ring and died at hospital. Heat and emotion have surged in Umoja.
Wycliffe Muganda, another community leader, describes the chilling normality of the violence.
“They are school-going children… they belong to families, they are someone’s sons.”
Families are on edge. Carolyne Achieng recalls how her 18-year-old son was attacked, struck in the eye and rushed to hospital with serious injuries. “We feared the worst,” she says, as he fights to recover.
Community members have begun organizing meetings with chiefs and local administrators to find solutions. They worry that if nothing is done, the violence will tear families apart.
Gangs Across Nairobi
The rise of juvenile gangs in Eastlands is part of a broader issue across Nairobi. Studies show gangs are expanding in scope and influence not only in slums, but in the city’s political and economic life.
A study by the National Crime Research Center found that over 88 per cent of Nairobi residents report active gang presence. Factors such as poverty, peer pressure, low levels of schooling and political exploitation fuel recruitment.
Some gangs also operate under political protection. A policy paper by ENACT Africa names several such groups, including “Godfather”, “Yakuza”, “Gaza”, “Portmore”, “Kianda”, and “Kayole Kona Mbaya”, all active in Eastlands. Their members may earn between 500 and 1,000 Kenyan shillings a day, especially during election cycles.
Similarly, previous reporting reveals that over twenty teenage gangs have emerged across the city since 2014 among them Mauki Family, Msako Empire, Potmore Empire, and Eastlands Big Bad Boyz. These groups spread across Huruma, Kayole, Umoja and Donholm.
These youth gangs differ from older forms of crime. Psychologists point out they are often flamboyant, social-media savvy and drawn by flashy symbols of wealth and fame.
Rooted Issue
It is vital to avoid blaming families or youth entirely. Many of these children come from vulnerable backgrounds where parents work long hours, homes are cramped and school attendance is inconsistent. Gangs offer attention, belonging even a sense of power.
At the same time, the wider political and justice systems need scrutiny. The steady rise of gang power reflects weak enforcement, lack of youth services and impunity for those who fund and protect them.
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