Armed youths planning to attack residents arrested
Likoni OCPD Willy Simba addresses reporters at the Likoni channel crossing on August 22, 2015. Armed youth were arrested in the area on New Year's eve. FILE PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The youths were said to be on their way to Mama Ngina Drive, where revellers had gathered to usher in the New Year.
- They were aged between 18 and 25 and were planning to attack ferries users and rob them, police said.
Police in Mombasa arrested more than 50 youths armed with crude weapons on New Year’s Eve at the ferry terminus.
The youths were said to be on their way to Mama Ngina Drive, where revellers had gathered to usher in 2017.
Police division commander Willy Simba said 14 of the youths were armed with knives, clubs and pangas, among others.
"We were shocked to discover that most of those were primary school pupils waiting to join Form One in different schools after sitting their KCPE exams last year," he added.
The youths, the police boss said, were aged between 18 and 25 and were planning to attack ferries users and rob them.
"Four of those arrested are members of the outlawed Wakali Kwanza [gang] that has been harassing residents of Likoni Sub-County and elsewhere in the county," Mr Simba added.
He said a special unit known as Kifaru had been formed to deal with the mushrooming gangs in different parts of the sub-county.
Asked to comment on reports that a number of women had been raped while cerebrating New Year festivities at Shelly Beach, Mr Simba said police had not received any rape reports.
"We don’t have any reports of that nature. So I don’t know where you are getting that.
"Because, if it happened, somebody would have reported the matter to either the local administration or the nearest police base," he said.
Reports on social media said a number of women were raped after being attacked while ushering in the New Year at Shelly Beach.
Mr Simba assured Likoni residents that the area had adequate security.
