At least 163 suspects believed to be involved in criminal activities in Mombasa Central Business District (CBD) have been arrested following a raid at their hideouts.
The raid was conducted by a multi-agency team comprising of the National Police Service and Mombasa County Enforcement officers. The security operation has been triggered by a surge in cases of muggings and attacks within Mombasa Island.
Just two weeks after the Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli vowed to crack down on the rising tide of crime in Mombasa CCTV footages have surfaced showing youths armed with pangas and knives alighting from a motorcycle before attacking and robbing unsuspecting civilians in broad daylight.
The footage has sparked reactions from residents with many expressing frustrations over the escalating crime rate in the Mombasa.
However, in response to the incident Mombasa Deputy County commissioner Ahmed Mahmoud assured Mombasa residents of their safety revealing that that security measures have already been intensified and so far at least 170 culprits believed to be involved in criminal activities have already been apprehended.
Mahmoud further attributed the rise in crime to the increasing number of street families who are occupying major streets in the CBD.
He further urged the locals to cooperate with the police by reporting any suspicious activities and provide information that could lead to the arrest of gang members.
[Mombasa Deputy County Cimmissioner Ahmed Mahmoud. He has assured Mombasa residents of maximum security. Photo/Ahmed Omar/Sept’ 18, 24].
Mombasa residents led by Bradley Ouna and Faisal Sharif condemned the broad day light mugging by juvenile machete wielding gangs robbing the residents using Bodabodas and Tuktuks.
They further urged the security agencies in Mombasa County to heighten security through day and night patrol in order to restore sanity in the coastal tourist resort city of Mombasa.
