Miraa. [Photo/Maxwell]
Daring daytime robbery from a knife-wielding gang targeting traders and Mobile Money transfer shop owners in Mombasa has posed insecurity threats, mounting pressure on the already strained security apparatus in the county.
The gang has posed a great danger leaving security apparatus in Mombasa struggling with the emergence of knife-wielding youth criminal gangs blamed for terrorizing traders, motorists and residents at will amid increased police Surveillance.
This comes in the wake of series of daylight attacks majorly targeting Miraa traders in Kisauni area since the festive season, Mombasa where two traders were attacked and killed by a knife-wielding gang a week ago.
Boniface Mirigi and Gideon Ntonyingi, both Miraa traders, were attacked and killed on a daylight at Soko Mjinga area in Kisauni before another trader Japhet Kubia who is nursing severe face injuries was attacked by the same gang.
“We are living and working in fear, we call on the police to implement daylight vigilance because most of us traders especially Miraa traders who are the target are very worried. My son was killed while operating his shop business and up to date nobody has been arrested,” said Kaberia Menyoata father of one of the victims.
Traders blame the police for laxity as the gang continued to execute its mission along Soko Mjinga, Hongera, Barsheba and Mtopanga stretch in Kisauni.
Sources say community policing and Nyumba Kumi initiatives have failed to work since no one was willing to volunteer information for fear of victimization.
It is believed that the gang controls more than 15 other gangs that operate in Mlaleo, Barsheba, Bakarani, Mtopanga, Bamburi Mwisho and Bombolulu areas.
Mombasa Meru Association secretary Meshack Lee said the wave of crime has shifted to target Miraa traders who operate most of the shops along Bamburi area.
“We demand security for our customers and our businesses, if it continues we will be forced to shut our businesses,” said Lee.
Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki, however, assured them of enough security and fully investigations concerning the incidences.
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