The government has put in place elaborate security measures to deal firmly with criminal gangs in Mombasa and other parts of coast region.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said a security operation is ongoing in Kisauni, Nyali and Likoni in Mombasa County and some parts of the South Coast in Kwale to flush out criminals who have been terrorizing members of the public.
“We will not negotiate with anybody when it comes to security and safety of our people. If you are a criminal, you know for sure we will come for you, arrest you and take you to court,” said Dr. Matiang’i.
Briefing the media after a closed door meeting with security chiefs in Coast region at Uhuru na Kazi building in Mombasa on Tuesday, the CS said criminals should not live amongst the larger population as they belong to prison.
“Our views are that if you are that kind of a person doing those kind of criminal things around, you should not live amongst us. You should be taken to jail,” he added.
The warning by Dr. Matiang’i comes at a time when Mombasa and other parts of coast region have witnessed increased cases of criminal activities, perpetrated by dangerous gangs including that of youngsters who are armed with all manner of crude weapons.
Several people have either lost their lives or left with serious injuries following attacks by gangs known as ‘Wakali wao’ and ‘Wakali kwanza’.
Police have managed to contain the sporadic attacks by these gangs and arrested several suspects.
At the same time, Dr. Matiang’i disclosed that about eight people have been arrested following a brutal attack of a chief in Shariani in Kilifi County last week.
The CS said police are in hot pursuit of four other suspects who were part of a 12-member gang that attacked Chief David Kahindi when he tried to stop a ‘Disco Matanga’ in the area.
Disco matanga, a popular cultural night celebration in Kilifi when a person dies has been banned by the government following increased cases of criminal activities and teenage pregnancies.
Dr. Matiang’i said any person caught operating past 11pm will be arrested. He visited Kahindi at Jocham Hospital in Mombasa where he is nursing severe head and leg injuries. The CS assured Kahindi that action will be taken against the youth who attacked him.
By Mohamed Hassan
Government to deal firmly with criminal gangs at the Coast
