Knife-wielding gangs terrorise residents of Chaani, Mombasa
Youths suspected to be members of two gangs that have been terrorising residents of Chaani in Mombasa after they were arrested and held at Chaani chief's office. The two new gangs known as Sparta and Gaza operating in Changamwe are believed to be linked to Kisauni’s Wakali Kwanza gang. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The gangs are operating in Kalahari, Dunga-Unuse, Migadini, Mbuyuni, Matangini, Mwembeni and Chaani.
- Mr Mwamachi said members of the group are aged between 13 to 18 years.
- The gangs are suspected to have been formed because of the forth-coming general elections.
- Majority of the gang members are drug users.
Police are grappling with the emergence of two new knife-wielding gangs that are terrorising residents in Chaani, Mombasa County.
The two gangs identified as Spanish Spatter and Gaza are allied to the notorious Wakali Kwanza and Wakali Wao gangs that have been giving residents sleepless nights in the county, according to police.
Chaani Chief, Fredrick Mwamachi Tuesday evening said police had arrested 18 members allied to the gangs.
“We have been able to identify four members of the Wakali Kwanza among the 18 who were arrested today morning during our operation.
“Our area did not have these notorious children but now we are on high alert,” said Mr Mwamachi.
The administrator said the gangs were operating in Kalahari, Dunga-Unuse, Migadini, Mbuyuni, Matangini, Mwembeni and Chaani.
The arrests came barely a day after another 17 suspected members of the notorious criminal gang the Wakali Wao and Wakali Kwanza were arrested in Majengo and Buxton areas.
Chaani Location Chief Fredrick Mwamachi speaks to journalists after the arrest of 17 youths believed to be members of a criminal gang that has been terrorising residents. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
TEENAGERS
Speaking in his offices in Chaani, Mr Mwamachi said members of the group are aged between 13 to 18 years.
Referring to a recent incident, Mr Mwamachi said a teenager was nursing injuries in the ICU after he was allegedly attacked by the ring leader of the group whom he identified as Kamnyeso.
He expressed fear saying the gangs are suspected to have been formed because of the forth-coming general elections.
“We have information that there are some politicians who are behind these gangs, but I cannot confirm that unless I have evidence.
“All I can say is that, if we have any big fish behind these gangs he will definitely face the full force of law,” he said.
He said majority of the gang members were drug users.
Mr Mwamachi acknowledged the help of youth from the area who joined police in smoking out the gangs out of their area.
A youth leader, Abubakar Kassim, together with his friends vowed to stay put in the fight against crime in their area and Mombasa at large.
