Thugs terrorizing Nairobi residents have been given the option of surrendering their weapons to authorities or face death.
Deputy County Commissioner Kangethe Thuku on Monday said the city's administration won't allow criminality to return to East and Central Africa's largest city.
The official said the return of criminal gangs in the city will affect smooth business operations and authorities won't allow such gangs to thrive.
"We will firmly deal with them. The only option is to surrender whatever weapons they possess and they will be set free," he said.
Thuku spoke three months after a photo of five men attacking a woman opposite Nation Centre was circulated on social media signalling city law enforcement agencies still have a long way to go in wiping the gangs.
The smartly dressed woman was wrestled down and her belongings including her phone and bag were taken by the youth dressed in jeans and T-shirts.
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero while campaigning ahead of the August 8 general election expressed fears that some politicians could be financing such gangs with the aim of disrupting business at Nairobi Central Business District.
The last group of suspected criminals to be shot dead were gunned down in Kariobangi last week after an unsuccessful MPESA shot robbery attempt.