‘The Men Watching Our Borders’: The Evolution, Identity, and Tenacity of Chinkororo in Gusii, Kenya

Non-state armed groups have been the subject of research in Kenya for a long time. Many them emerge response to social, political, and economic inequalities dissatisfactions they engender. Kenyan society is marked by unemployment, huge gap between rich poor, marginalization due ethnic-based politics. As result, almost every region has registered at least one instance activity non-state group. These posed continuous threat social political spheres were banned under Prevention Organized Crime Act 2010. However, many are still active. The author focuses here on Chinkororo movement Kisii county. There exist competing perspectives role Chinkororo: it viewed as group traditional warriors from Abagusii, criminal gang, vigilante hire highest bidder, or even security provider filling government’s gaps. outlines history activities reasons its continuing vibrancy despite government ban through enactment crime Act. paper argues that is, fact, transitioned being simple neighbourhood formation instrument violent post-election score-settling. Its come more into limelight during electioneering periods. Accordingly, hard extinguish Chinkororo’s because constant election-related violence Kenya.