Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara has provided reassurance to the residents of Nakuru regarding their safety in light of a series of stabbing incidents and armed robberies occurring in the Rhonda and Kaptembwa areas.
Expressing regret over the loss of three lives due to the resurgence of criminal gangs, Kibaara announced that significant reassignments had taken place among the security personnel in the region to address the situation.
To date, a total of 302 young men have been apprehended and presented before the Nakuru Magistrate Court. However, Kibaara expressed dissatisfaction with the lenient fines and sentences that have somewhat diminished their efforts.
“Despite the low fines, we do not support reorganizing and harassing the people. It won’t be business as usual, and the gangs need to either modify their behavior or leave the region.
The Nyumba Kumi Clusters will be revived to increase security, he said, adding that “a new OCS has been deployed to Rhonda police station, and we are seeking to have a change of police officers who have overstayed in the region and are abating crimes.”
The commissioner expressed regret over the emergence of notorious gangs, including Confirmed, TZ, Mungiki, and Mauki, which have relocated from Nakuru North and Nakuru East Sub-Counties to Nakuru West. He noted that young men aged between 18 and 25 years are joining these groups, often involved in gambling, boda boda, touting, and taxi businesses. Their mode of operation has become extortion. Individuals who refuse their demands are subjected to stabbings.
Kibaara cautioned politicians suspected of involvement in these criminal activities and pledged to hold them accountable.
County Police Commander Zachary Kimani singled out Ponda Mali, Nakuru West, and the Free Area as hotspots, revealing that more arrests had been made the night before. Kitchen knives and Somali swords were discovered in the possession of the captured gang members.
“Our officers are familiar with these criminals, and the longer they stay in the area, the more they contribute to the prevalence of these crimes,” Kimani stated.
He criticized the media for sensationalizing crime reports and creating unnecessary tension. Kimani encouraged residents to provide anonymous tips to the police as part of a collective effort to combat these crimes.
In recent times, incidents of stabbings and killings have been reported, with the Mauki gang allegedly seeking revenge following the killing of their leader last week.
