Gangs in Kisumu: Residents raise alarm over wave of violent robberies

Their concerns have been fuelled by a video showing armed men attempting to vandalise a lorry, only to flee after the occupant raised the alarm.

The incident has reignited concerns over a wave of violence that has left one person dead, several others injured and businesses counting losses.

The video, which went viral on Wednesday, has laid bare the growing insecurity gripping Kisumu, where residents say fear has become part of daily life over the past two weeks.

The occupant's desperate screams jolted neighbours into action, with some capturing the brazen attack on camera. However, the armed gang did not take kindly to being filmed, threatening those recording them before eventually retreating.

The incident came just two days after residents took matters into their own hands by making a citizen's arrest on a man caught breaking into a shop.

Frank Wasonga, a resident of Lolwe, said he received a phone call from a neighbour alerting him to an attempted shop break-in.

Moses Muswa, a resident of Migosi, said another person was attacked in the area, expressing concern that the suspects captured on CCTV appeared to be young men.

The violence has been escalating. On Saturday, a middle-aged man was attacked and killed by armed robbers in Ahero.

By Tuesday, two more people had been injured in a machete attack in Migosi Estate. Several shops have also been broken into, leaving residents gripped by fear and business owners counting their losses.

Clarence Misiani, a trader in Lolwe, called on police to increase security patrols, particularly at night, saying business owners were losing investments to criminals.

Kisumu County Commissioner Ramadhan Mwabudzo assured residents that security agencies would intensify operations to address the situation.

“We will conduct raids from next week until December, so anyone who intends to steal or endanger people's lives should be warned and become a responsible citizen,” Mwabudzo said.