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Nine suspected members of 'Panga Boys' gang arrested in Mombasa

Some of the items police found following the arrest of nine suspected gangsters in different areas of Likoni, Mombasa County, last week. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | 20 Apr 2024

The arrests follow attacks in both Mombasa and Kwale counties, and police say some of the suspects are minors.

Police have arrested nine suspects believed to be members of the notorious 'Panga Boys' criminal gang that has been terrorising residents of Mombasa and Kwale counties.

They were apprehended on Wednesday and Thursday in different areas of Likoni in Mombasa by area administration officers and National Police Service officers from Inuka and Vijiweni Police stations.

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Likoni divisional police commander (OCPD) Geoffrey Ruheni said the suspects were linked to recent attacks in Likoni Sub-county.

The police boss noted that although some of the suspects were minors, their activities had threatened residents' lives.

"The law shall take its course regardless of their age. They look young but are very lethal considering the type of weapons and attacks," he said.

The OCPD said the operation began on April 13, 2024, in the Shikaadabu, Kibundani, Mwenza, Vyemani, and Vijiweni areas of Likoni.

"Out of the nine suspects, two are alleged to have been involved in several other criminal activities, some of which were reported at Vijiweni Police Station under OB numbers, 6/10/01/2024, 29/8/03/2024, 31/20/03/2024 and 14/9/04/2024," he said.

Ruheni added that some of the nine were believed to operate both in Mombasa and Kwale.

He said that during the operation, assorted crude weapons, including six machetes, a long sword, and a kitchen knife, were found, along with stolen items including nine mobile phones, a gas cylinder, a slasher, and a motorcycle, registration KMGJ 413W.

"The suspects are currently at Shimo la Tewa Prison, awaiting the conclusion of their cases. I call on members of the public who were robbed to come identify their items," he said.

Early in April, police in Kwale recovered items worth at least Sh1 million from suspects believed to operate in Mombasa and Kwale.

Describing the suspects as slippery, Msambweni OCPD Francis Gachoki said, "Whenever crackdowns intensify, the criminals flee to the next county to hide."

Ruheni further encouraged victims to not shy away from testifying in court.

"When you are called upon to testify, please do so. Members of the public always point the finger at the police for releasing suspects but how can we hold them when there are no witnesses?"

Likoni and Kisauni are among the hotspots for crime in Mombasa.

Police have promised to continue the crackdowns to wipe out the gangs