Police accused of laxity as juvenile gangs unleash terror on locals

Security agencies at the Coast have been accused of laxity for “failure” to arrest machete-wielding juvenile gangs that have been on the rise in both Mombasa and Lamu counties.

Lamu and Mombasa residents said they are grappling with insecurity incidents in the two major tourist attraction towns as juvenile gangs wreak havoc.

Speaking in Lamu on Sunday, the locals said many of the criminals have established a trend where they rob residents then disappear for some weeks before resurfacing to commit more crimes.

“I am wondering why the security department cannot trace such people. Apprehend the suspect, so that people can feel safe whenever they walk around,” said Mr Ahmed Omar, a Lamu resident.

He said there have been daylight robberies in Mkomani, Langoni, Jua Kali, Wiyoni and KenGen.

Mr Omar said many people have been robbed and injured.

SNATCH PHONES

“They will pounce on you on the streets and snatch your phone or wallet then disappear. You report to the police and describe the criminal and even tell them where they stay, but nothing happens. After some time, you meet the same criminal on the streets and there is nothing you can do,” said Mr Omar.

Ms Husna Bwanamkuu, a resident, said the criminals are normally armed with machetes or knives during the robberies. She called on the county’s security department to arrest and prosecute the criminals.

Ms Khadija Athman, who has been a victim, said a majority of those engaging in crime are primary school dropouts who have now become drug addicts. “Most of these criminals are very small children under drug influence. We need to nip this in the bud before it’s too late,” said Ms Athman.

In mid last year, the Lamu County administration ordered a crackdown and arrest of residents found with crude weapons  in public as a move to reduce crime in the region.

JUVENILE GANGS

In Mombasa, religious leaders want the security agencies to deal with juvenile criminal gangs terrorising residents in Kisauni, Mvita and Likoni sub-counties.

Likoni St Philips ACK pastor Lenson Okello urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to urgently deal with criminal gangs. “One of our brothers was killed by gangsters in Likoni. Dr Matiang’i, we are pleading with you to tighten security. Assure Kenyans of their security. We can’t allow gangs to go on killing and maiming innocent people,” he said.

Likoni Catholic pastor Henry Ndune urged residents to be alert and help the police in fighting crime by alerting security agencies on any criminal activity.

However, while responding to the concerns, Coast regional coordinator Bernard Leparmarai insisted that police have managed to contain insecurity in the region.

WORRIED

“The few incidents witnessed in Mombasa are isolated cases. Residents should not be worried as police are handling them. In Lamu, there are no organised criminal gangs unlike the few cases in Likoni and Kisauni,” he said.

He urged parents to pay attention to their children in order to ensure they don’t engage in crime. “Why would a 13-year-old engage in crime? The children should be in school. Police have done a good job to contain security. We have arrested criminals and we will conduct more raids,” Mr Leparmarai told Nation.

Last week, security agencies arrested 119 suspects in a crackdown on suspected criminals in Mombasa.