A member of a notorious criminal gang, Wakali Kwanza, was on Thursday shot dead by police officers in Kisauni, Mombasa.
Kisauni police boss Richard Ngatia, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect was killed and several others arrested following a tip-off from members of the public.
Ngatia said the police received a tip-off that the gang members were armed with machetes and crude weapons and they were attacking people in Kisauni.
According to the police boss, police officers conducting the operation were forced to open fire after the members of the criminal gang attacked one of the police officers.
During the incident, one of the suspects was shot dead and the police believe that several others escaped with bullets wounds.
“The deceased was killed after his group attempted to attack police officers who were conducting the operation.”
“We are calling on these youths to keep off from robbing and mugging people. We will fight with all means and we will not stop,” added Ngatia.
Ngatia, who was speaking to journalists in Kisauni further said that they have launched investigations, adding that they will continue to pursue the criminal gangs in Kisauni.
The police boss urged the residents to work with the police to ensure that security is restored in the area.
Recently, Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa issued a stern warning to criminal gangs terrorising residents in Kisauni, adding that the two group; Wakali Kwanza and Wakali Wao are to blame for crimes in Kisauni.
Marwa called on the crackdown of criminal gangs as well as for the arrest of their financiers who want to use the youth to cause chaos.