The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday arrested 17 people suspected to be members of the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) in a house in Diani, Kwale County.

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Through their official Twitter account, the DCI said the suspects aged between 41 and 84 years were nabbed as they assembled at a house in Kibundani area in Diani.

"17 members of the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council aged between 41yrs & 84yrs were arrested early today in Diani. The suspects were nabbed as they assembled at a house in Kibundani area," tweeted the DCI

During the operation, the DCI said they recovered membership registers and contributions at the said house.

The suspects are expected to be arraigned in a Kwale law court on Wednesday.

The arrest of the suspected MRC members comes at a time when criminal gangs and activities are on the rise in the coastal region, with many locals now pleading with the government to end the malice.