‘What kind of hell is this!’ Understanding the Mungiki movement's power of mobilisation

Abstract

There is a flourishing of collective actors such as vigilante groups, militias and gangs that could be termed ‘uncivil society’. These actors often have a ‘Janus faced’ nature and slide between roles as legitimate providers of social services and oppressors of communities. A potent channel for the articulation of grievances of underprivileged youths in particular, due to their illegality or militancy these actors are often disqualified from participation in formal political arenas. A case in point is the Mungiki movement in Kenya. How exactly Mungiki attains its capacity to mobilise thousands, if not millions, of members requires more nuanced explanations for why young men in particular are attracted to the movement and what effect this has on their lives. A ‘framing-based’ analysis from social movement studies is used to interpret empirical findings that draw on in-depth interviews with grassroots members. The article finds mobilisation a response to both social and personal crisis but with attendant programmatic responses that empower members.