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Police in Kwale County recover stolen goods worth over Sh1 million

Msambweni OCPD Francis Gachoki during a press briefing at Diani Police station on April 3, 2024. Photo: Mishi Gongo

By Mishi Gongo | 04 Apr 2024

The crackdown was a result of an upsurge in criminal activities by the juvenile gang in the tourist town.

Police in Kwale County have arrested 50 criminals and recovered electronics and other assorted items estimated to be valued at Sh1 million.

According to the Msambweni OCPD Francis Gachoki, the items were recovered at a house in the Msikiti Nuru area last week.

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Woofers, televisions, nonstick cooking pots, mobile phones, mountain bicycles, serving plates, shoes, mattresses, PlayStations, and motorbikes are among the items that were recovered.

The crackdown was a result of an upsurge in criminal activities by the juvenile gang in the tourist town.

Speaking at the Diani police station on Thursday the police boss said the items will be taken to court as exhibits.

He called on locals who had lost their items to report to the Diani police station for an identification process.

"Whoever has lost their items should come to the Diani police station so that suspects can be taken to court. If there are no witnesses, then these people will be released for lack of evidence," he said.

He stated that some of the criminals arrested are from Likoni and Kisauni areas.

"The suspects we have arrested come from Likoni and Kisauni, they fled their residence when the war on crime intensified. So I want to urge people when your relatives visit to find out why they visit. Some are criminals who are using relative's homes as hideouts," he said.

Gachoki named Shamu, Bongwe, Kibundani, and Maweni areas, the hotspots for criminals in Diani.

"There is this retrogressive culture where people use crime to scare away investors. We have cases of people who have properties in Diani but have since fled due to crime," he said.

Leah Wanjiru who is among the victims of the machete gang claimed the gangs broke into her house through the window on March 24 while she was away on a night of prayer and worship.

Leah Wanjiru and her husband identifying their stolen items at Diani police station. Photo: Mishi Gongo

She alleged the thieves made away with clothes, electronics, and shoes.

"My husband has just come from abroad. I had not even unpacked his suitcases, the thieves took the two suitcases that contained clothes, a laptop, shoes and a PlayStation," she said.

She pleaded with the police to ensure the arrested suspects disclosed where they had disposed of some of the stolen items.

"I have identified my items but some are missing. I am pleading with the police to help recover the remaining items. I am positive the suspects know where they are," she said.

She added that police have been frustrating some of the victims insisting that they must provide receipts for the goods.

"Some of my things have been bought abroad, others I long to dispose of the receipt but I know my items," she said.

Another victim Yusuf Salim, a resident in Ukunda said the criminals broke into his house in February this year.

Yusuf Salim who was allegedly drugged before the criminals stole goods from his home in Diani.

Yusuf said the thieves made away with two mountain bicycles, phones, power banks, a fan, three handbags and Sh 6000.

"The gang must have sprayed us or something because we only woke up around 11 am with our doors wide open. Our dog was also drugged, it slept for two days, and we had to take it to the vet," said Yusuf.

The two victims called on the police officers to tighten security in the tourist town.