Police in Mombasa have arrested a suspected leader of a notorious knife-wielding gang that has been terrorizing residents in the county.
Confirming the arrest, Mombasa Urban police boss Lucas Ogara said the suspect identified as Makhsin, alias Dogo, was arrested by Special Forces officers in Old Town area, Mombasa.
Mr Ogara said the officers have been trailing the 18-year-old suspect for a while now, after he was linked to several crimes that have been committed by members of the criminal group in the county.
According to Mr Ogara, the suspect is alleged to have stabbed a businessman and seriously injured him over the weekend.
The businessman who is nursing serious knife injuries in one of the private hospitals in the county, was robbed of his valuables of unknown value by the gang leader.
“The suspect was arrested by special forces who have been trailing him for a long time in his hideout in the alleys of Old Town,” said Ogara.
“The suspect who is in police custody was being sought by police after he was linked to several robberies and attacks on residents and business people in Mombasa,” said Mr Ogara, as quoted by Baraka FM.
The police boss added that they have launched a major operation in Old Town, to arrest other members of the gang.
He urged the gang members who have been attacking tourists and robbing them to surrender before the law takes its course.
The suspect is said to be heading a gang of 50 criminals.