This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
On August 17, 2019, a daylong stand-off between members of a notorious criminal gang and the Kenyan security forces took place in Bamburi, Kisauni constituency, Mombasa. This incident is just one of many that have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the police in addressing crime in the region.
The gang, which has been terrorizing Mombasa residents for years, was involved in a series of violent crimes, including extortion and murder. The police, however, failed to act decisively, allowing the gang to continue its activities with impunity.
According to Gabriel Oguda, writing for the Nation, the police's inaction is a reflection of a broader problem in Kenya. 'When you respond to criminal violence with the humility of a pie, there is only one person believing in your capacity and it isn't the overconfident young man taking selfies with a shining machete waiting to shed blood right under your nose,' Oguda wrote.
The incident has sparked a national debate about the role of the police in maintaining law and order. Many Kenyans are calling for the police to be more proactive in addressing crime, and for the government to take a stronger stance against criminal gangs.
As Oguda noted, 'When the government does more and talks less, public confidence in our institutions grows and the goodwill to love our country is automatically gained.' The recent stand-off in Mombasa is a stark reminder of the need for the police to be more effective in addressing crime, and for the government to take a stronger stance against criminal gangs.
