Governor Abdulswamad announces stern action against machete-wielding gangs in Mombasa
As part of the new directives, the county will also introduce regulations compelling machete sellers to maintain records of buyers, a move aimed at boosting accountability and aiding security operations.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has unveiled a set of stringent measures to curb the rising threat posed by machete-wielding gangs across the county.
While speaking at a National ID mobile registration outreach in Majengo, presided over by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Abdulswamad announced that the county would enforce the Public Nuisance Act, which is set to be amended so that individuals found carrying a machete in public face the same punishment as those caught with an unlicensed firearm.
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“You will not have any business walking around the city with a machete. You will be required to use only a machete at home on your farms,” he said.
The governor lamented that violent gang activities, including an incident involving a foreign tourist, were damaging Mombasa’s image and threatening the tourism sector.
As part of the new directives, the county will also introduce regulations compelling machete sellers to maintain records of buyers, a move aimed at boosting accountability and aiding security operations.
“The county will impose new measures, including the one that dictates when one goes to buy a machete, the seller will be expected to keep records,” he explained.
He further noted that the county government will begin cracking down on establishments selling illegal drugs to young people, blaming substance abuse for fuelling insecurity in the region.
The move was backed up by Murkomen, who noted the national government will offer full support to the county government in curbing the machete-wielding criminal gangs.
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