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Diani residents want streetlights installed on feeder roads to curb rising insecurity

Residents of Mbuwani in Diani during a security baraza meeting on March 24, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo/EV)

By Mishi Gongo | Monday, March 25, 2024

This comes after the security officials arrested 26 panga-wielding gang members who are believed to be involved in last week's attack in Diani.

Locals in Diani, Msambweni sub-county in Kwale want street lights to be installed on feeder roads to curb rampant crime cases in the area.

The residents said criminals use the cover of darkness to prey on innocent passersby and terrorise them.

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On Sunday area chairman Hamisi Mwagadi said the attacks are rampant in the evening when people are going home from work.

Mwagadi said street lights are among the resolutions they came up with after they had a public baraza with the locals on Saturday.

"Most people go for entertainment on weekends and return late at night, it is at this time that the robbers prey on the passersby and mugged them off their belongings," he said.

He said the robbers are usually armed with metal rods, machetes and knives to scare their victims before stealing from them.

"We have had cases of people getting killed when they attempt to resist. We are scared because if they can comfortably roam among us it means they can even break into our houses," he said.

Area chairman Hamisi Mwagadi (right) with other locals after the security baraza on March 24, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Earlier the Technical University of Mombasa Kwale Campus students had asked the county to install street lights and clear bushes along the Kona Musa Mabokoni road after one of their colleagues was attacked by one of the gangs.

Diani attack

This comes after the security officials arrested 26 panga-wielding gang members who are believed to be involved in last week's attack in Diani.

The attack left several people seriously injured, including students of the Technical University of Mombasa, Kwale Campus.

The students were attacked at the Mbuwani area along Kona Musa-Mabokoni road as they were going for a night kesha at the institution.

Speaking to The Eastleigh Voice on Sunday, Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde said the accused are currently in remand after the police asked for more time to investigate and build a strong case against them.

Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde at the Kwale Cultural Centre after chairing a security meeting attended by Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga, chiefs, assistant chiefs, assistant county commissioners, deputy county commissioners and local police chiefs on March 22, 2024. (Photo: Kwale County Press)

"We arrested quite a large number of them, took them to court but appealed for additional time to gather substantial evidence to charge the perpetrators," he said.

He said most of the arrested people are aged between 16 and 35 years.

Orinde said police have enhanced both night and day patrols across the county.

He said police patrols have proved to be effective and more gang members shall be brought to book.

"The county security team is on high alert and they won't let criminal gangs rule the county," said the commissioner.

Orinde said measures are in place to curb the rising insecurity and restore peace and order in the region.

They are also conducting a security baraza in the hard-hit areas to campaign for peace and behavioural change among youth.