Police arrest 51 in connection with the notorious panga boys gang in Mombasa
Police officers have arrested 51 people in connection with the notorious panga boys gang in Mombasa and confiscated at least five tuk-tuks suspected to be used by members of the gang.
The operation, which comes just days after a similar operation led to the arrest of 120 people in Kwale and Mombasa in connection with increased gang activity in the towns, was conducted in Kisauni constituency, where the gang is reported to have developed its influence.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, police said that the operations were conducted in at least eight areas of the Kisauni sub-county to flush out gang elements who have terrorized residents, businesspeople and tourists in the area.
Kisauni operation
“In a continued effort to curb criminal gangs, a multi-agency operation has been conducted in Kisauni sub-county, targeting the neighborhoods of Corner Ya Kisauni, Jocham Hospital, Barisheba, Sunlight, Mwandoni, Junda, Cobra, and Kadongo Grounds, resulting in the arrest of 51 suspects linked to the infamous Panga boys gang,” the DCI statement reads in part.
“Five tuk-tuks, believed to be used in phone snatching, were seized in the course of the operation. The suspects have been taken into custody at Mjambere police station, where they are undergoing processing ahead of their court appearance.”
On March 29, 2025, Mombasa County Commissioner Hassan Noor revealed that another 50 people had been arrested in connection with increased robberies targeting residents, businesses and tourists in the town.
“We have arrested suspects who hijacked tourists in a vehicle and robbed them of the money and other valuables. The other person suspected to have chopped the hand of a resident here with a panga is also detained at Shimo la Tewa Maximum prison awaiting arraignment in court,” Noor noted.
Diani gangs
The arrests follow similar operations at the tourist town of Diani in Kwale County, where coast regional police commander Ali Nuno pitched camp and vowed to restore law and order.
On Saturday, March 29, 2025, 12 juveniles linked to gang activity were arrested and detained in Diani in connection with criminal activity in the area where gangs rob residents and businesspeople in broad daylight and stab anyone who resists.
Nuno, who was the Kwale County Police commander before being promoted to the regional commander, also decried the laxity among police officers in reining in the recent spate of brazen robberies in the town.
“It cannot be that the gangs in Likoni and Mombasa are surrendering while 15-year-olds here in Diani are still on the rampage. This cannot happen,” Nuno said on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
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Arnold Ngure
General reporter with a bias for crime reporting, human interest stories and tech.
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