Residents live in fear after increased robberies by armed gang in Marsabit's Saku area

Karantina residents in Saku, Marsabit County have asked security agencies to intensify night patrols to contain robberies and burglaries by armed criminals in the area.

The attacks mainly targeting valuables such as jewelry, electronics as well as money have left residents living in fear with local traders contemplating closing their shops early to avoid being attacked while on their way home.

Nura Godana, a resident, said the area enjoyed relative peace until a fortnight ago when the armed gang started terrorising them.

"The criminals unleash terror at night and within poorly lit streets where no one would easily identify them," he said.

Apart from patrols, he said, security masts would also help wade the criminals off for fear of getting exposed.

Armed gang

Residents who claim to have had an encounter with the criminals say they are five in number and that they are armed with a pistol, long gun and crude weapons.

"They nearly killed me recently after I declined to give them Sh10,000 I had with me. I complied after one of them drew a pistol from his jacket and threatened to shoot me," one of the victims narrated.

Monday night's shooting of two following a confrontation with the gang is the most recent incident.

The two are nursing gunshot wounds at a hospital in Marsabit town. County Police commander Leonard Kimaiyo said investigations into the Monday incident were underway to establish the motive of the attack.

"A manhunt for the criminals is underway and we appeal to the public to share any crucial information that would help in making arrests," he told Marsabit's Radio Jangwani FM.

He further implored residents who could have been victims of the armed criminals to report the incidents so that legal action is taken. Residents want thorough probes carried out to establish the source of the firearms being used by the criminals.