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Mombasa police stop street families' feeding programme over crime

Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor addresses the press in his office on April 27, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | Saturday, April 27, 2024

The programme has attracted street children from many parts, some of whom have been committing crimes such as mugging, county commissioner says.

The Mombasa County commissioner has halted a street families' feeding programme by a private company, saying a strategy review is needed as criminals have infiltrated it.

Mohamed Noor said the programme has attracted street children from many parts, including outside the county, some of whom have been committing crimes such as mugging.

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"Criminals, when they are full after eating breakfast, lunch and supper, mug people. We will not allow the continuation of that. If we want to help people, it must be well structured," he told journalists in his office on Friday.

He issued the directive two days after 150 suspects were arrested over the mugging of a shopper along Haile Selassie Road that was captured on CCTV.

Mohamed further ordered security committees to close all dens inhabited by street urchins.

The programme started about 16 years ago to help needy families in Mombasa but has since attracted people from other counties. The company distributes food including maize, wheat flour, biscuits, bread, juice, chocolate and rice.

In 2021, Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) asked the company to move the operation to Likoni to reduce numbers that it said were overwhelming their services. The company had said that thousands of people crossed every Sunday and Thursday afternoon to get the free food.

Mohamed noted that although the programme is noble, it has been infiltrated by criminals, hence the need for the County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) to pursue its suspension.

He asked the philanthropists to find a long-term solution, such as helping the less fortunate secure jobs, so they can earn a living. He further pledged to craft a strategy for helping the less fortunate, in partnership with the county government.

"Mombasa is a big city so it is a shame for people to be mugged in broad daylight in the central business district (CBD) by youths who are fond of terrorising people after eating free food. We have directed the philanthropists to stop the programme as we find a way of helping the vulnerable," he said.

On Wednesday, county security intelligence carried out operations in the CBD after social media was awash with a video of a shopper being robbed moments after stepping out of a supermarket.

"We have been able to nab 150 suspects; 10 among them were minors. They have been terrorising residents in the Mombasa CBD," he said, adding that operations would continue to ensure residents' safety.

"Traders should open their businesses without fear. Shoppers should buy without looking over their shoulders. Those visiting the CBD at night should not be anxious."

Mohamed added that the crackdown extended to Kisauni, where the police arrested at least 27 people and seized one-kilogramme brooms of bhang on Thursday night.