Police seize Kisumu-based criminal gang members in crackdown
Kondele OCS Ben Barasa (right) and Officer Commanding Police Division Christopher Mshimba display stolen goods recovered from criminal gangs at Kondele Police Station on September 20, 2015. Police arrested 15 members of a criminal gang in the town on March 1,2017. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They arrests were made during a joint operation by the Quick Response Team and the Cobra squad in the city's Mamboleo area.
- The gangs, American Marine, which controls the Kisumu main bus park and the China Squad, which is said to operate on the lower parts of the CBD, merged in the run up to the 2013 General Election.
Fifteen members of a Kisumu-based criminal gang have been arrested. The members of China Squad were seized during a police crackdown on illegal groups in the city.
They arrests were made during a joint operation by the Quick Response Team and the Cobra squad in the city's Mamboleo area.
The 15 are Mr Paul Onyango, Mr Erick Ombima, Mr Geoffrey Okello, Mr Bramham Otieno Miyoma, Mr Maurice Ochieng, Mr Ben Nyangile, Mr Stephen Okoth and Mr Boniface Ouma Omollo.
Others are Mr David Kanga, Mr Daniel Otieno, Mr Benard Omondi, Mr Benard Ouma, Mr Erick Walter, Mr Nasir Juma and Mr Hesbone Ochieng.
The alleged gang members will on Thursday face various charges ranging from robbery, assault, being in possession of bhang, to being members of an outlawed criminal gang.
The group is also likely to face extortion charges after Nyanza Regional Coordinator Wilson Njega said those arrested in the Central Business District were found forcefully soliciting money from business people.
DISCUSS SECURITY ISSUES
“We will not allow people to reap where they did not sow. No businessman needs to consult any gang before setting up a business,” said Mr Njega who later met all senior officers from Nyanza region to discuss security issues ahead of the August polls.
Assistant Inspector General of Police Joseph Chepkeitany and Nyanza Regional Police Coordinator Mr Willy Lugusa said the crackdown will continue in Kisumu and extend to other counties until all gangs are brought to book.
The gangs, American Marine, which controls the Kisumu main bus park and the China Squad, which is said to operate on the lower parts of the CBD, merged in the run up to the 2013 General Election.
The groups have been accused of carrying out many crimes including extortion and intimidation of innocent Kisumu residents.
