Youths in Kikuyu have raised concern over the increased police harassment in the recent past following the ongoing search for 'Raia' gang members in the region.
Speaking on Saturday in a youth meeting at the Tumaini hall in Kikuyu, the chairman of the Kabiro 'Sisi Kwa Sisi' youth group Joshua Ngaruiya said innocent youths were being harassed by police.
Ngaruiya said innocent youths especially those who own businesses were being ambushed and arrested without prior investigations being conducted.
The chairman said they are not against the search of the criminal gang members adding that they support the fight against insecurity in the area. He however said the police should be vigilant and conduct the arrests in a lawful manner.
He stated that most youths who own businesses in the area are now afraid of conducting their business especially at night because police arrest them despite being innocent, genuine business owners.
"We set up such youth groups in a bid to curb criminal activities and drug abuse among the youth as well as come up with income generating activities that will enable us to take part in nation building. We want to urge the police and all security personnel conducting this search to be more clear in their investigations and avoid arresting innocent youths," said Ngaruiya.
He added: "We are aware the gang consists of youths but that doesn't mean all youths engage in criminal activities. Our main agenda as a youth group is to curb search activities and also develop ourselves individually and as a group.
Brian Kinuthia, a youth in the area, said he is forced to close his business early for fear of being arrested. He claimed that despite conducting legal businesses, police still view them as suspects and accuse them of using the genuine businesses as cover ups for the gang activities.