This archive report was first published on 9 July 2021.
Notorious Killer Gang '24 Brothers' Returns to Migori ¶
Residents of Migori County in Kenya's Nyanza/Western region are living in fear after a notorious gang, known as '24 Brothers', resurfaced in the area, terrorizing residents and launching deadly attacks during the dusk-to-dawn curfew.
According to reports, the gang, which operates in groups, has been waylaying victims and brutally killing them before making away with their valuables. The gang's modus operandi involves breaking into business premises while others keep watch, leaving residents with little to no chance of escape.
Locals have expressed their fear of the gang, with some residents speaking in hushed tones, fearing reprisals from the criminals who are often armed with machetes, metal bars, and other crude weapons.
On June 26, residents stumbled upon the naked body of an unidentified woman in Dago Kouma village, raising fresh fears of murder a day after the body of a teacher was picked up a few meters from the spot.
The incident followed a series of murders that happened in the area after the government imposed the 7pm to 4am curfew in the lake region.
"No one knows the lady here in the village. She appeared slightly above her twenties and might have been strangled and the body dumped here the previous night," said resident Galus Ouma.
This was the third killing in the area within two weeks, with the primary school teacher being murdered in cold blood and his badly mutilated body dumped in a thicket next to his home on Sunday.
Kevin Owuor, who taught at a private school in Migori town, was reported missing last Friday evening before he was found dead. His family reported the matter at the Migori Police Station and continued searching for him on their own before students from the Kakrao Technical Training Institute stumbled upon his body.
"The 31-year-old father of one escorted out one of his neighbours on Friday evening but failed to return home," Upper Kakrao Assistant Chief Wilfred Onyango said.
Residents suspect the gang was behind the killings and the rampant attacks happening during curfew hours. They claim that after the curfew hour hits, police officers often retreat to their stations and don't carry out patrols, leaving marauding gangs to roam the estates.
"From 8pm we are at the mercy of gangs. It looks like since the curfew was imposed police, who often arrest people in pubs to get bribes, go home as there are no people to extort from. The gangs have been left to freely terrorise us," lamented Jackson Oyatta.
Migori County Police Commander Manaseh Musyoka said they are working on crucial leads and will flush out members of the dreaded gang.
"We are sifting through crucial information on the gang members and will soon get to them. Our officers are on high alert and are coordinating with local administrators in the affected areas to weed out the suspects," he said.
However, residents accuse law enforcement officers of complacency, saying they have failed to act though some of the suspects are known.
"Most of the gang members are young men who are well known. We have even raised concerns with the local administration, but they seem reluctant to crack down on these criminals," said Charles Okuna, a trader at Kakrao shopping centre.
Some residents blame the rising insecurity on lack of street lights on roadways, claiming Kenya Power disconnected the lights due to unpaid bills.
"The area has been quiet for some time but we are worried by the sharp surge in crime. It seems the gangs have taken advantage of the missing street lights to unleash terror on locals," said Joy Onyango.
