An MP in Mombasa has raised alarm over the return of criminal gangs in the county, arguing that their rise may thwart development in the Coastal town.
Likoni MP Mishi Mboko on Tuesday said unless law enforcement agencies do what is required of them, the gangs' activities may affect business activities in Mombasa.
"The panga wielding youth have made a comeback and my plea to the police is to swing into action before it's late," the MP who addressed journalists in Likoni said.
She made the plea two weeks after police reported that they had shot dead nine suspected gangsters in various areas of Mombasa town following reports that members of the dreaded 'Wakali Kwanza' criminal gang were regrouping.
The last to be shot dead was a suspected gangster who police said was on the list of Mombasa's top wanted criminals. He was shot dead in Bombolulu area.
Speaking at the scene of the shooting, county police commander Johnston Ipara told reporters that three pistols and 47 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the man's house.
"He was killed after he tried to attack the officers," Ipara said.
Two of the nine gangsters were killed in Likoni and two others were neutralized at Mtongwe ferry as they planned robberies in Soko Mjinga. Six were shot dead in Kisauni.