Six arrested in Coast crackdown, weapons and narcotics recovered

Six suspects have been arrested following an intensified security operation targeting violent criminal gangs in Coast region.

In a statement posted on Friday, February 20, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the coordinated crackdown was conducted across Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties after a recent surge in violent attacks that had unsettled communities.

Police said the operation was intelligence-led and focused on individuals linked to criminal activities commonly associated with the so-called “panga boys”, a term used to describe gang members involved in violent robberies and intimidation using crude weapons.

Acting on actionable intelligence, detectives carried out targeted raids on profiled suspects believed to be part of organised criminal networks behind a series of attacks in the region.

The six were arrested in separate as security agencies moved to dismantle the gangs’ operational structures.

During the arrests, officers recovered assorted crude weapons and narcotic substances, which investigators say corroborate prior intelligence linking the suspects and their networks to violent intimidation and drug-related activities.

“The seizure of weapons alongside narcotics highlights the compound threat posed by these organised criminal elements to public order and community safety,” the DCI said.

The suspects are currently undergoing processing as detectives advance investigations into multiple related incidents that remain under active review.

Authorities said further arrests could follow as investigations continue.

Security agencies have maintained heightened vigilance at the Coast, with additional patrols and surveillance mounted in identified hotspots to prevent retaliatory attacks and reassure residents.

The latest arrests come amid growing concern over criminal gangs that have in recent weeks been blamed for terrorising residents through violent robberies and intimidation, prompting calls for firm action from law enforcement agencies.

Earlier in January officers attached to Gita Police Station in Kisumu East subcounty arrested a man believed to be part of a notorious criminal gang that has been terrorising residents of Kisumu City and its surrounding areas.

The arrest followed what police described as “relentless pursuit” of a gang accused of robbery and theft targeting unsuspecting members of the public.

According to the DCI, the hunt for the suspect gathered pace after one of his accomplices met a tragic end on January 23 when he was subjected to mob justice after being cornered with a stolen motorcycle.

The incident is said to have provided crucial leads that helped detectives narrow down on the remaining gang members and their possible hideouts.

The DCI said the operation remains ongoing, with detectives pursuing remaining members and facilitators of the criminal cells to ensure sustained security across the country.

Members of the public have been urged to cooperate with security agencies by sharing information that could aid investigations.

The DCI encouraged residents to report suspicious activities anonymously through its toll-free and WhatsApp reporting channels, assuring the public that their safety remains a top priority as efforts to restore calm continue.