Dangerous street thugs with machete reemerge in Likoni, Mombasa

Image result for likoni gangs

Is Mombasa proving to be dangerous ground for Kenya?
Fear has gripped residents of  Mombasa County following the emergence of a new gang, whose members have reportedly killed at least 3 people and slashed a policeman so far in Kisauni and Likoni. According to police and human rights groups, the violence began on Friday and resulted in a police officer being hospitalised with critical injuries.

The worst violence occurred in Likoni on Saturday at around 3.30pm when members of a youth criminal gang called Military descended on residents of Senti Kumi area.

According to reports from Francis Auma who works for Muslims for Human Rights, the group was returning from burying a gang member who had been killed the previous day. The youths attacked residents with knives and machetes. Image result for likoni gangsMr Auma said one of the men who was killed was identified as 32-year-old Bitunguramye Theobare from Rwanda. “After the burial they started attacking the public and the police intervened,” said Likoni OCPD Benjamin Rotich, adding that two men identified as Shabaan Hassan and Steve Okoth were slashed.

Police indicated that one of the gang members who was shot and wounded by officers died in hospital.

“Seven criminals were arrested and expected to be charged ,” said Mr Rotich.

Dozens have been murdered in two weeks and scores of residents left nursing serious injuries.

Gang groups comprise of adults while others are operated by juveniles. Members are usually in groups of between five to six when undertaking their criminal activities, which include robberies at shops, M-Pesa outlets and pubs, especially in the evenings when these business are being closed,” the confidential report states.

Tokeo la picha la likoni gangs machette

Prison wardens have also been linked to the gangs but Mombasa Police Commander Johnston Ipara has denied the claims.

On October 24, a prison officer was reportedly accosted by members of the public in Ziwa la Ng’ombe after he attempted to rob a resident.

The officer escaped death as he identified himself as a prison warder and was taken from the scene by police officers from Nyali Police Station.

Mr Ipara said investigations were on but that they were yet to receive reports of police officers’ involvement in the crimes.

He asked residents to help them find criminals claiming to be members of the National Police Service.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *