Juvenile gang suspects meet after shoot-to-kill order against criminals

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A meeting of suspected juvenile criminal gang members took place on Sunday morning at a house in Mwandoni, Kisuani constituency, reliable sources have told the Star.

The meeting took place right after a morning session of football practice at Cobra Ground.

“I think they might have been telling themselves to either lie low for a while or disappear from the area after the police issued a stern warning,” one of the sources told the Star.

This followed Saturday’s shoot-to-kill order issued by Coast regional police commander Ali Nuno.

Nuno warned criminal gang members he would not hesitate to use deadly force to eliminate machete-wielding criminals where it is justifiable.

There had been a slight surge in attacks on innocent members of the public in Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties by criminals who rob them of their hard-earned money and other valuable items.

Security agencies have arrested at least six suspected criminal members involved in two incidents where a security guard was slashed with machetes before being left for dead in the Tononoka area in Mvita on January 25.

Two of the three suspects were arrested three days later on January 28, according to Nuno.

“One is still at large,” he said at the Mtwapa police station on Saturday.

On January 28, at around 4am, a Mtwapa shopkeeper was hacked by a three-man gang who robbed him of money and other items.

The shopkeeper was admitted in the ICU at a hospital in Kilifi County.

“A ring leader of the gang was arrested three hours later at his mother’s house in Vipingo area, where stolen items were found,” Nuno said.

Mustafa Majeza Juma, alias Muso, Bubbline Kitsao Kazungu, and Abdul Mwatondo Matano were arrested at Muso’s mother’s house.

A meticulous search of the residence led to the recovery of six mobile phones, eight national identity cards belonging to different individuals, two Somali swords, two pangas, and a cash bail receipt in Muso’s name.

The receipt relates to an attempted robbery with violence case, for which the suspect had an active warrant of arrest.

“He had jumped bail,” Nuno said.

Muso’s mother works in Saudi Arabia.

“Muso hides in his mother’s Vipingo house whenever he has committed a crime,” Nuno said.

He noted that members of the public had planned to torch the house in an attempt to flush him out.

“It is because they know him. He operates as a boda boda rider when he is not engaging in criminal activities. It is his cover,” Nuno said.

Muso is suspected to be behind a series of robbery with violence incidents in both Kilifi and Mombasa counties.

According to the DCI, Muso, Kitsao, and Mwatondo led police to a second hideout where three of their accomplices were also arrested.

The three are Swale Mwarauka, Mohammed Juma, and Hamisi Rama.

A search of the second hideout uncovered 18 large rolls of bhang, a weighing scale, and Sh7,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds of crime.

All six suspects were escorted to Mtwapa police station for processing and later arraigned.

Detectives were granted 14-day custodial orders to wrap up investigations as authorities tighten the noose on violent crime and ensure the suspects face the law.

A visibly angry Nuno on Saturday said criminals will not get mercy from security agents.

“There will be many graves,” he warned.

He said criminals cannot walk around slashing innocent people without consequences.

His warning went viral on social media, attracting support from members of the public and other leaders in Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties.

Security expert Abdikadir Dekow said the shoot-to-kill order is justified.

He said there are justifiable instances for using firearms, including protecting life and property.

“If a shopkeeper at a shop is attacked by a gang armed with pangas, like happened in the Mtwapa case, and the gang wants to hurt, maim, or kill the shopkeeper and rob, police officers or registered firearm holders are justified to use their firearms to shoot the gang members,” Dekow said.

He said the days are numbered for criminal gang members, saying Nuno is a no-nonsense officer known for being a man of his word.

Dekow said organised gangs always come up whenever the country is heading into an election.

“That is why I strongly believe politicians are behind these gangs,” the ex-Interpol officer said.

He said politicians should stop funding such gangs for their own political gains.

“These gangs exist because of lack of employment, lack of basic needs, and use of hard drugs,” Dekow said.

A week ago, security agencies led by Nuno and Mombasa County police commander Peter Kimani intercepted 300 bags of bhang in Mombasa.

“I praise the security officers for their hard work and their sacrifice to ensure they fight drugs at the Coast,” Dekow said.

However, he warned the few trigger-happy security officers not to take advantage of the shoot-to-kill order to settle personal scores.

He said intelligence-led operations should be used to ensure no innocent person is killed.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Nuno has called on members of the public to work with security agencies to ensure security is maintained in the neighbourhoods by giving information to security agencies about suspected criminals’ movements. Nuno said security starts at an individual level.