Police thwart Mungiki sect recruitment

Police clashed with more than 100 youths on New Year day and foiled recruitment by the outlawed Mungiki sect.

Fifteen suspected members of the sect who were conducting the recruitment in Kirinyaga District were arrested and locked up at Kerugoya police station.

Sect training manuals were recovered from the suspects.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided three houses on the outskirts of Kagumo Town and found the youths eating meat as they were being enlisted into the sect after being taken through some rituals.

The police lobbed tear gas canisters at a crowd of young men, sending them fleeing in different direction.

Area police boss Herbert Khaemba said: “We found them feasting and fought them with tear gas.”

Witnesses said the youths put up some resistance but were overpowered and dispersed.

Exploit traders

Mr Khaemba said the sect wanted to establish a base in the district to exploit residents and traders.

The traders, matatu operators and motorcycle riders have been complaining that the sect’s gangs are extorting money from them.

A driver, who sought anonymity for fear that he might be attacked, said matatu operators were being charged Sh50 on a daily basis. Traders operating shops are forced to pay Sh100 each while motorcyclists paid Sh20 per trip.

Those who refuse to pay are harassed and threatened with death.

“These people take money which they have not laboured for and the police should continue arresting and prosecuting them,” said a cyclist.

The gangs also force residents to join the sect and pay membership fees.

Embu district commissioner Mohammed Maalim said the sect’s activities would not be tolerated and asked police to be alert.