Alarm as thugs on motorbikes strike again

Police in Mombasa are on high alert following the re-emergence of thugs on motorbikes who are robbing M-Pesa outlets and other retail shops, especially in Likoni sub-county.

In Likoni, the thugs have robbed at least six M-Pesa shops in two weeks. The thugs, who are said to be three, took off with an unknown amount of money.

On Saturday, the armed thieves raided three shops, an M-Pesa shop, a retail store and a butchery around 8 pm at Majengo Mapya area.

According to police, the thugs, who were armed with an AK-47 and a G3 rifle, stole Sh40,000 in the M-Pesa shop and Sh9,000 from the butchery.

This came one week after gangsters suspected to be the same squad terrorised the suburb’s M-Pesa shops and a petrol station for two consecutive days.

During the incident, the attackers shot dead a woman and injured a child. They got away with almost Sh200, 000.

The attack came after a man was killed in Changwamwe, mid-last month, after two men stormed an M-Pesa shop and stole Sh150, 000.

Three days earlier, a woman was killed at her spare parts shop at roundabout stage in Changamwe. Police said the attackers were changing the number plates of the motorcycle.

On Monday, Likoni Deputy County Commissioner, Albert Kimathi said: “We have launched a hunt for these people. I can assure you that we will bring them to book. We also need the support of the community because they know who these people are,” said Mr Kimathi.

In a recent interview, Mombasa County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed said police have learnt that the assailants are using guns that were stolen from officers.

“We have to get back these two rifles for us to retain peace in Likoni. Residents know where these guns are and people must cooperate with the police,” he said.