Police have banned night street wedding ceremonies in Mombasa County over security reasons.
County Police Commander Johnston Ipara said weddings should not be held past 11pm since such events have become avenues for crime.
Speaking on Sunday to journalists at the Central Police Station, Mr Ipara said all weddings in the county must be conducted in social halls.
He said that the police will not allow wedding ceremonies to be conducted at night unless proper security arrangements are made by those who want to be issued with permits.
Mr Ipara said wedding permits would be issued by the office of the deputy county commissioner.
The police commander warned that those who will contravene the ban will be arrested.
“All weddings shall be conducted in social halls. The time for a wedding should be up to 11pm. We urge those organising such events to obtain permits on time. We will arrest those who will ignore this directive.”
“Anyone who does not have the capacity to provide security will not be granted a permit,” said the police commander as quoted by Daily Nation.
Mr Ipara said insecurity in the region is on the rise following frequent attacks by gangs who have been terrorising residents.
He said some youths were roaming in various parts of the county targeting women who attend night weddings and stealing from them.
According to Mr Ipara, they have identified two gangs from Kibokoni in Old Town and Majengo adding that security agencies have been ordered to deal mercilessly with the gangs that are terrorizing and assaulting residents.