Mungiki

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Mungiki is a religious sect primarily of the Kikuyu of Kenya. The name means "A united people" or "multitude". The religion, which apparently originated in the late 1980s, is secretive and bears some similarity to mystery religions. Specifics of their origin and doctrines are unclear. What is clear is that they favor a return to indigenous African traditions and reject westernization and all trappings of colonialism. This includes rejection of Christianity, and practicing forced female circumcision.

They have been newsworthy for associations with ethnic violence and anti-government resistance. More than 50 people died in 2002 in clashes involving the sect and owners of matatus (private minibuses) in Nairobi alone. In February 2003, the sect was in the news following two days of clashes with Nairobi police which left at least two officers dead and 70 sect members in police custody.

In Nairobi, Mungiki operates most extensively in Mathare, the city's second largest slum, where extremes of poverty and crime are widespread. A recent Inter Press Service article vividly describes Mungiki operations in that slum as essentially constituting a "street gang" or a criminal network that contributes to, and feeds off, an environment plagued by a state of perpetual security crisis. Every resident of the slum pays a variable sum of money to the organization, in exchange for protection against theft and property damage. In addition, the gang "mans" public toilets, and charges a user fee for services rendered. These extortionate circumstances, along with the general lack of effective local law enforcement, have generally enraged residents of Mathare.