New special squad deployed to combat rising crime in Eastleigh
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
Investigations have revealed that many of the attackers are from Somalia and Ethiopia, with a significant number residing in Eastleigh.
A special police squad has been deployed to address the rising wave of crime in Eastleigh, Nairobi, following increasing reports of violence, extortion, and gang activity in the area.
The move comes after a high-level meeting of crime-fighting agencies at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on November 11, 2024.
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Eastleigh, a fast-developing neighborhood, has witnessed a surge in criminal activities, particularly those involving foreign nationals and returnees.
Desperate to earn a living, these individuals have been involved in violent crimes like extortion, robbery, murder, and theft.
The most common forms of abuse in the area include stabbings, torture, and the harrowing practice of holding victims for ransom.
Families in Eastleigh are living in fear as gang members target residents for violent attacks.
"We have some victims in hospitals after they were attacked and stabbed by the gangs on the loose," said an officer familiar with the ongoing situation.
Reports of harassment and roadblocks set up by criminals demanding money from locals are also widespread.
Investigations have revealed that many of the attackers are from Somalia and Ethiopia, with a significant number residing in Eastleigh.
"We receive reports of extortion and torture almost daily, and it is worrying," said a local official.
The newly formed squad, comprising officers from the DCI headquarters, Nairobi Region, and other specialised units, has received strict orders to pursue these criminals and bring them to justice.
The squad will also collaborate with the immigration department to swiftly address emerging issues during their operations.
The rise in violent crime has been particularly concerning. In the past month alone, five murder cases have been reported in Eastleigh, including the high-profile arrest of Hashim Dagane, an Ethiopian-Somali man linked to the deaths of four women in the area.
Police believe he might have a connection to undiscovered murders.
On November 9, a robbery in Eastleigh resulted in the shooting and death of 25-year-old Abdirahim Ibrahim.
Ibrahim was meeting his girlfriend when an assailant approached them and shot him at close range.
Security footage showed the gunman shooting Ibrahim just below the ear before making off with his mobile phone and leaving his girlfriend at the scene.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but police believe Ibrahim was the intended target. Police have arrested a woman in connection with the murder.
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