The Interior CS Fred Matiangi who was accompanied by the Inspector-General of Police Hilary Mutyambai and security chiefs from the Western region have deployed a special police squad to weed out the killer gang in Matungu following the recent spate of brutal attacks.
New vehicles will be given to the team for conducting patrols on roads and major highways and for quick response in residential areas should sect members attack.
Undercover officers will also be deployed in areas inhabited by the sect members, including bus stops on the routes dominated by the gangs.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who visited the troubled area on Thursday, asked the residents to prepare for a major security operation targeting the criminal gang who have been raiding homes at night and viciously attacking villagers.
Dr Matiang’i, who spoke at Bulimbo Primary School grounds, announced that a key suspect believed to have been coordinating the killings from Kawangware, Nairobi has been arrested.
“The arrest of the suspect is a major breakthrough and we have already obtained information about other suspects on the run. We want to tell them that their days are numbered,” said Dr Matiang’i.
1. 42 brothers from khwisero
2.14 brothers from Matungu
3. 11 brothers and 6 sisters from Mumias
Police have done little within the larger western belt on the 3 groups causing mayhem using axes and machetes killing mercilessly. @NPSOfficial_KE @PoliceKE @FredMatiangi— Malik Oyondi Otiende (@Oyondi_Malik) May 11, 2019
In 2017, the suspect was involved in a series of robberies and serious assault including one in Sabatia in which he chopped off the leg of one of his victims.
“The days of those criminals who have been attacking villagers and killing them are numbered. From today we are deploying the GSU and increasing the number of other security officers to hunt down the criminals and end their madness.”
One of the most #wanted suspect;Kelson Lienga alias Kevin Lienga was today arrested in Kawangware by @DCI_Kenya Detectives.The suspect is connected to a series of crimes in western including robbery w/violence & defilement. Suspect in lawful custody awaiting arraignment in court. pic.twitter.com/Qq6obQFciG
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) May 15, 2019
The CS promised to address the issue and ensure security officers were well equipped to handle the menace.
“Our officers are going to comb all the corners of Matungu and hunt down the criminals so that there will be no repeat of such madness involving loss of innocent lives,” said the CS.