Home / Coast

We won't tolerate juvenile gangs in Mombasa, Governor Abdulswamad warns

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir. He has banned the sale of miraa, muguka near schools in the county. (Photo: Mombasa County Press)

By Farhiya Hussein | 07 Apr 2024

The governor directed security officers to apprehend the parents of any child found engaging in criminal behaviour, emphasising the need for guardians to take responsibility for their children's actions.

Mombasa County has declared a zero-tolerance policy towards juvenile gangs who have been terrorising residents of the coastal city, emphasising that they have reached a breaking point.

Addressing the recent surge in crime, particularly during school closures on Saturday, Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir launched the School Mentorship Programme aimed at curbing delinquency among students.

Keep reading

Under the initiative, students receive mentorship from various individuals, coupled with financial incentives.

Each student is granted a daily bursary of Sh250 shillings, along with an additional Sh150 for their upkeep whenever they participate in the mentorship sessions.

This multifaceted approach seeks to engage and support youth during school breaks, steering them away from criminal activities.

During the distribution of 100 bursary cheques, valued at Sh20,000 each, provided by Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) CEO Ken Odede, Governor Abdulswamad underscored the importance of parental accountability.

He mandated security officers to apprehend the parents of any child found engaging in criminal behaviour, emphasising the need for guardians to take responsibility for their children's actions.

"We have observed a concerning trend of juvenile crime escalating during school holidays. Parents are unaware of their children's whereabouts during these periods. We cannot effectively address this issue unless parents are actively involved in monitoring their children's activities," the governor said.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir asserts that they have reached a breaking point and will not tolerate any more instances of juvenile gangs terrorizing the innocent residents of Mombasa. pic.twitter.com/fH1Fdh2Yad
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) April 7, 2024

He noted a decrease in crime when students are engaged in educational activities during the school term.

“It is important we realise the crucial role of parental involvement in ensuring the safety and well-being of their children, particularly during holidays,” he said.

The governor stressed the significance of taking proactive steps and involving the community to safeguard residents' well-being and prosperity.

Two days ago, a distressing incident in Mikindani Ward, Jomvu Constituency saw eight members of the public fall victim to criminal youth gangs.

Four members of the gang were apprehended.

HAKI Africa urged the authorities to take decisive action to address the escalating insecurity situation in Mombasa.

“It is imperative that the police uphold their duty to protect the safety and well-being of all Kenyans, ensuring that incidents like these are prevented and swiftly addressed. HAKI Africa calls for justice to be served for the victims of these criminal acts," the organisation said.

"Perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions, and measures must be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.”