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.
More To Read
- Cleric's bold street outreach sparks youth revival in Mombasa as crime surges
- Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad hits out at State over withheld road funds
- Body retrieved from collapsed septic tank in Bamburi Mwisho
- Optimism in Mombasa as Salaam Microfinance Bank opens Shari’ah-compliant branch
- Kenya’s gang crisis: Report exposes 309 criminal groups gripping major counties
- Body of missing man recovered from collapsed building in Mombasa
“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.
Top Stories Today
- Treasury’s Sh600 million budget cut threatens school feeding expansion
- KRA waives Sh165 billion in tax penalties
- Clinical officers petition Senate over discrimination, delayed posting of interns
- Court suspends NHIF claims audit taskforce operations
- NIS Chief admits Oromo Liberation Army occupying Kenyan territory
- Opposition leaders demand release of IEBC selection report
- Funding shortfall leaves Somali women, children facing death
- Deputy Governors seek constitutional changes to have clear mandates
- City Hall to freeze accounts, auction properties over Sh50bn arrears
- Sh40.7bn budget shortfall threatens military recruitment, operations
- Kenya’s security at risk as regional instability grows, warns NIS boss
- Supreme Court Judge Ouko warns of eroding public trust due to case delays
- Palestine lifts ban on Al Jazeera's operations in Palestinian territories
- Kenya aims to quadruple tea exports to China by 2030
- KNEC announces July, August deadlines for 2025 CBC assessments
- Google quietly refreshes iconic 'G' logo with subtle design tweaks
- UDA dismisses Gachagua’s resignation from party as 'theatrics'
- Nairobi court denies bail for Lebanese suspect facing US extradition
- Fire burns shops at Mogadishu's Bakaara market, no casualties reported
- Tanzania electoral agency unveils 8 new constituencies, 5 wards ahead of polls