The re-emergence of machete-wielding gangs in parts of Mombasa has left security chiefs worried after tens of gangs operating in the town became a nightmare for most families.
The deadliest gangs are said to include Wakali Kwanza, Wakali Wao, Kapenguria Six and Born to Kill which operate in Likoni, Changamwe and Kisauni.
This makes city dwellers in the Kenya's second largest city to rush home when darkness sets in as parts of the city are no longer passable upon dusk.
“They rob with violence using pangas,” a resident said.
The gangs are said to be armed and dangerous and some residents disclose having come face-to-face with the squads, most of whom consist of youths barely out of their teenage years.
Sources privy to their operations say Wakali Wao and Wakali Kwanza began as football clubs in Kisauni with a vision to help youths exploit their talents, but it is hard to explain how the vision took a different path that now frustrates lives of city dwellers.
“These groups are funded by leaders because every leader has their own groups,” a resident added.
On Thursday, top security brass in the county led by Mombasa County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed had a round-table discussion with the agenda of eliminating the killer gangs.
“If a child will be found loitering when he should be in school and has engaged in criminal act, the parent will be arrested and taken to court for failing to play the role as a parent,” Mr Mohamed said at the meeting.
The political class was also present and Mvita lawmaker Abdullswamad Shariff Nasir supported efforts to restore sanity on the streets although he cautioned against arbitrary arrests.