Matiang'i to intensify war on crime in Coast region

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has vowed to deal with criminals who have been terrorising Coast residents saying there will be no negotiations with them.

Addressing journalists after meeting the region’s police bosses at Uhuru na Kazi in Mombasa, Dr Matiang’i said top on their list is the murder of the elderly and the proliferation of criminal gangs.

Dr Matiang’i Wednesday said a special operation has been launched in South Coast and Kisauni in Mombasa to smoke out the criminals who in last two months of last year killed at least 20 people.

“The message I want to pass to those criminals is that we will not compromise on the security and safety of our people. Know for sure that we will come for you and we will be hard on you,” said Dr Matiang’i who was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.

He said the operation is also aimed at dealing with spate of M-Pesa attacks especially in Kwale. On the recent spate of killings of the elderly, Dr Matiang’i said security agents will intensify operation against the killers.

“We know that some of the incidents are linked to the land issue in the region but our colleagues in the Ministry of Land are working on those issues. Even then, there are no good reasons for one to cause the death of another.

"We are going to narrow down on sub location and tracking where the incidents have been happening so that we can sort this problem out,” said Dr Matiang’i.

Cases of the elderly being killed over land have been rampant in Kilifi with the latest incident reported on Sunday.

Charo Chengo was murdered at his Mitsedzini resident in Kilifi. At least 60 elderly people in Kwale and Kilifi counties in last year alone.

Dr Matiang’i warned against the trend saying that the government wold not condone it. At the same time, the cabinet secretary emphasised that funeral dances popularly known as 'disco matangas' would not be allowed in Kilifi past 11pm.

This came even as he announced the arrest of eight people linked to the attack and injuring of a chief, his assistant and three police officers who had gone to stop a 'disco matanga'.

Dr Matiang’i said four more other suspects linked to the attack are still being pursued.

“We were given a list of 12 people and I want to assure you that we will arrest all of them and we will go after them even if will take the whole year to do it. You will not attack public officers in such a beastly manner and hope to walk away with it. We are not a savage society,” said Dr Matiang’i.

The chief, David Kahindi, his assistant and three police officers were injured when stones were hurled at them when they raided a 'disco matanga' in Shariani. Mr Kahindi sustained head and leg injuries.

The police officers were injured after the mourners turned rowdy and pelted them with stones and empty bottles.