Crime in Mombasa is at an all time and could be a threat to the booming tourism industry especially towards the festive season that attracts many locals and foreigners down to the Coast to celebrate the Christmas holiday and usher in the new year.
Residents in Kisauni and Nyali constituencies are now living in fear and have raised alarm of youth gangs that are terrorizing them. Reports have revealed that at least 15 people have been killed by the youth gangs in the last one month alone.
On Monday night, four people were attacked in Kadzandani area of Nyali constituency by machete-wielding youths. One person succumbed to injuries and is lying at the Coast General Hospital mortuary. Two others; Stanley Mbito and Anthony Mutunga are admitted at the Coast General Provincial Hospital Casualty Ward while the third patient, a child, was discharged after treatment.
About a week ago, Tumaini Katana from Bamburi, was attacked in Kiembeni Maji Machafu area by another gang and is currently in ICU at the Coast General Hospital with deep wounds of panga cuts.
The attackers reportedly disguise themselves in police uniforms similar to those worn by the Kenya Prison officers of and often ride on brand new motorcycles.
Kadzani MCA Francis Kombe and Mombasa politician Said Abdalla have now lamented the rising cases of attacks in Nyali and Kisauni.
“This new trend is very disturbing. We have recorded about 10 killings in Nyali alone where 20 others have been injured. Police need to intervene,” Kombe said.
According to Kombe, the attacks are a unique breed because the youths don’t steal from their victims. On his part, Abdalla said that leaders ought to work together with police and get to the bottom of it adding that too many people have lost their lives.
Mombasa Police Commander Johnston Ipara yesterday said they had arrested 10 suspected criminals following the attack on Monday night.
“We raided a house where one of the ring leaders stayed, but he managed to escape. We will catch up with them as the ones we have arrested have shared vital information,” Ipara said.
Some parts of Kisauni and Nyali have become a no-go zone areas. They include Kadzandani, Vikwatani, Mafisini, Soweto Junda, Mishomoroni and Kwa Bulo, where the criminals have been operating day and night.
The recent attack to hit Mombasa county is the murder of former Kilifi Deputy Governor Kennedy Kamto who was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his residence in Nyali last night at 11 pm.
According to reports from the wife of the deceased, the gangsters who had covered their faces demanded money from the former deputy governor before they gunned him down.
Do you think the attacks in Mombasa are aimed at sabotaging the tourism sector in Kenya?