Mombasa: 177 suspected gang members arrested in 48-hour crackdown after viral video

At least 177 suspected members of a criminal gang have been arrested in Mombasa following a multi-agency operation conducted in the last 48 hours.

This comes after the business community raised concerns over the resurgence of crime gangs that have left them counting millions of losses.

CCTV footage from one of the streets in Mombasa's Central Business District (CBD) captured a group of a criminal gang members robbing unsuspected locals earlier this week.

At Mjambere ward in Kisauni Constituency, Alice Nkirote and her husband James Njilu and their two children are homeless and counting losses amounting to millions of shillings after their house and business were torched by a criminal gang on April 3, 2024.

“Kitu muhimu kwao ilikuwa ni pesa, kile walikuwa kinawafaa wanatupora wanachukua wanakupiga hawataki kujua kama wewe ni binadamu, haja yao pesa,” said Nkirote.

Njilu stated: “Sina anything kwa ajili duka imeharibiwa kila kitu, kile naomba ni serikali kama inaweza kunisaidia ili nipate haki wale watu wasiachiliwe na wasifanyie mtu kitendo walichonifanyia.”

They said the attack changed their lives, as they depend on well wishers and are being hosted by a friend in the area. And, as schools reopen next week, their children may fail to report back.

“Pa kulala hakuna, tunafanya kusaidiwa, twalala kwa jirani sahii, hatuna mahali pa kukaa, hatuna chakula chochote, tukipata mtu atusaidie ndio tunakula,” Nkirote.

Mombasa businessman Patrick Gitonga said: “Naomba serikali iweze kudumisha usalama...wale watashikwa na vitu kama hii wachukuliwe hatua kali ndio ulinzi uwe mzuri na tuweze kufanya biashara kwa njia inayofaa.”

Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor has said the crackdown will continue in Kisauni, Nyal, Jomvu and Mvita.

The County Commissioner is urging parents to take responsibility of their children saying a large number of those arrested are below 18 years.