Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that a security operation is underway to curb rising cases of mugging in Nairobi’s CBD and other major towns facing similar incidents.
Addressing journalists in Bungoma town during his ongoing Jukwaa la Usalama forums, Murkomen vowed firm action to eliminate criminal gangs.
“This culture of goons that mutate and become gangs is something of very great concern across the country, especially in the bigger counties. We are witnessing the presence of goons, and this is not acceptable,” he said.
Murkomen pointed out that during his tour of Trans Nzoia County last month, authorities arrested more than 175 people accused of terrorizing residents as organized gangs.
He further explained that many of those behind muggings disguise themselves as street children. “We have come to notice that part of the problem of muggings and violence is being perpetrated by persons known as street children, but they are not street children. They are adults of significant age who pose as homeless, then attack people in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, and recently in Nairobi. But something is being done to address the issue decisively,” he assured.
The CS added that just as the government stamped out the Panga Boys gang in Mombasa earlier this year, the mugging menace in Nairobi will also be brought to an end.
CS Kipchumba Murkomen further directed Officers Commanding Police Stations (OCSs) to treat cases of theft and muggings as part of their daily mandate.
“It’s the daily responsibility of the OCS to address these kinds of issues, but if there are operational weaknesses on the side of the police, we will redeploy to address the gaps,” he said.
Nairobi Hotspots Identified
Residents of Nairobi have continued to raise alarm over increasing theft and muggings, especially in the evenings after 6:00 pm.
Some of the hotspots flagged as high-risk areas in Nairobi include the surroundings of Archives, Odeon, and Koja (fire station), along with the stretch of Tom Mboya Street leading to Afya Centre, the area around City Hall, and Murang’a Road from the Desai junction towards Globe Roundabout.
Other danger zones highlighted are the Kipande Road stretch leading to the Museum, the Wangari Maathai Road stretch towards the Museum Roundabout, and Haile Selassie Avenue all the way to the National Library.
