Mombasa County launches crackdown on street families amid crime surge

Mombasa County government has initiated a major crackdown on street families and individuals accused of causing disruptions in the city.

The crackdown comes in response to an increase in street urchins occupying key areas in the Central Business District (CBD), and allegedly causing disturbances to both pedestrians and shoppers.

In recent weeks, street families have been accused of harassing pedestrians and motorists, and even engaging in daylight robberies.

They further reportedly turned the historic Mbaraki Memorial Cemetery into a makeshift residence and hideout.

To ensure Mombasa's safety, the County Chief Officer for Governance and Serikali Mtaani Abdallah Daleno spearheaded a joint operation with County Inspectorate Officers on Saturday to address the issue.

“They have been robbing and attacking many people. We have just arrested a street urchin who had inappropriately touched a woman’s breasts. We want to make sure Mombasa is free from criminals,” he said.

Daleno also revealed plans to collaborate with the National Government to develop a rehabilitation strategy for street urchins, aiming to provide them with alternative means of earning a livelihood rather than resorting to crime.

“We are doing a mop-up in collaboration with the police to rid the town of muggers, pickpockets, and robbers who have infiltrated the town. The County Government is committed to supporting local businesses by eliminating disturbances caused by street urchins,” he said.

Daleno assured that the combined efforts of the county inspectorate and police would yield positive results.

“From now onwards, we will ensure all our streets are free from beggars from the neighbouring countries or those sleeping at our graveyards. We want to ensure the city is safe,” he said.

The crackdown will continue, with efforts focused on returning arrested individuals to their home counties and countries.

“Those pillion passengers robbing women and residents, we will profile and go after them,” Daleno said.

Residents who have embraced the initiative have expressed relief at the improved safety, attributing the surge in street families to a now-discontinued free feeding programme run by a cement company. The programme was terminated after it became a target for criminal infiltration.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir during the conclusion of the Seventh Day Adventist camp week in Tononoka Grounds, Mvita Sub-County on September 7, 2024. (X/Abdulswamad Nassir)

In April, social media was awash with a video of a shopper being mugged moments after he stepped out of a supermarket along Haile Selassie Road.

The video showed the shopper carrying his purchases when a youth suddenly attacked him from behind, placing him in a headlock.

The attacker had been running from the opposite direction, turning swiftly after the victim passed him. Moments later, over 20 more youths joined in, overwhelming the man and forcibly taking his shopping bag and other belongings.

Although the victim tried to fend off the attackers, he was outnumbered and overpowered by the aggressive group.

In response to the incident, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki issued a firm three-week ultimatum to security officials in Mombasa to address the issue of rampant street crime and juvenile gang activity.

“I have directed the officers to fully look into this matter, and I will be back after three weeks. I don't want to hear even a single incident of mugging or street thuggery,” Kindiki said.

While security agencies in Mombasa have been cracking down on youth gangs involved in theft and harassment, Kindiki emphasised that such crimes should not be allowed to persist.

The viral mugging incident ignited a heated debate about safety in Mombasa, with many residents voicing concerns about how often these crimes go unreported. Police said the lack of reporting makes it difficult to arrest and prosecute those responsible.

Areas beyond the CBD, including Likoni, Kisauni, Nyali, and Mvita sub-counties, have also experienced frequent attacks by youth gangs. Some of the attackers, armed with knives and machetes, are as young as 13.

Recognising Mombasa's importance as a major economic and tourist hub, Kindiki assured the public that the government will dedicate all necessary resources to curb the attacks.