This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
Published on September 25, 2019, police in Mombasa have intensified their war on gangs, killing three suspected criminals and arresting about 300 others in the last two weeks.
According to sources, the Mombasa county security committee has announced a major operation targeting juvenile gangs that continue to wreak havoc in Kisauni, Nyali, and Likoni sub-counties.
The gangs, including Wakali Kwanza, Wajukuu wa Bibi, and Wakali Wao, are mostly composed of boys who terrorize residents and scare away investors from the tourism hub.
County commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo and woman representative Asha Hussein have urged the police to rein in the gangs, citing Likoni as the area most infested with gangs.
Mr. Kitiyo stated, "They are criminals and they must be dealt with according to the law." He also called for stronger resolve in dealing with child criminals, saying rehabilitation was out of the question.
"Let us not reward crime by buying them boats and boda bodas. They will think that when you are involved in crime, you will be rewarded with goodies. The message should be: when you are involved in crime, it is either jail or death, no more rehabilitation," he said.
During a security public meeting in Kisauni sub-county, Mr. Kitiyo attributed the surge in crime to drug abuse and warned the youths against the vice.
"Drug addicts need money to buy drugs and that is why they are involved in crime. If we end drug abuse, then crime will be a thing of the past," he said.
On Monday, at least four schools in the area ended studies early after chaos erupted as machete-wielding youths descended on several areas, including Migombani, Bomani, Nuru, Bahari, Bofu Kiwerera, and Mtaa wa Makka.
Several people were attacked and seriously injured, with some victims having deep cuts on their heads, hands, and legs. Businesses closed as the attackers robbed people, and officers were deployed to calm the situation.
Police arrested four suspects, with Likoni sub-county police commander Benjamin Rotich stating, "They are in our custody. The operation is still on. We’ve calmed the situation."
