Kisauni to Embrace Door-to-Door Crackdown on Criminal Gangs

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Security agencies in Kisauni have intensified the Jukwaa la Usalama strategy down to the village level in an effort to stop rising insecurity and restore peace in the region.

Residents have long suffered attacks by criminals armed with pangas with some perpetrators said to be known within their neighbourhoods.

However, many residents fear reporting them due to threats of victimization.

To address this, authorities have announced a door-to-door community security strategy aimed at uncovering the roots of the insecurity that has persisted for nearly a decade.

Speaking during the first grassroots stakeholders’ Jukwaa la Usalama meeting at Bamburi ward on Friday, November 14, 2025, Paul Kengere, Kisauni assistant county commissioner affirmed the government’s commitment to ending juvenile gangs and other crimes in the sub-county.

The ACC, flanked by top Kisauni security personnel, said security matters have now been decentralised to the grassroots, where residents will play an active role by sensitising community members, identifying suspects, and collaborating with authorities to solve insecurity challenges.

“We are approaching the festive season, when the region welcomes many guests. We want to ensure the area is safe for all visitors,” he said during the multi-sectoral peace and security forum held at Vision Empowerment Training Institute in Bamburi, Kisauni.

Bamburi is among the areas most affected by criminal gangs who attack and rob unsuspecting residents using crude weapons and machetes.

“Peace and security are paramount. Nothing, not even the economy, can grow when insecurity persists. We cannot continue with this problem it must be addressed collectively.”

He said the new plan borrows from directives issued during recent Jukwaa la Usalama town-hall meetings recently convened by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, which emphasize strengthening security engagement at the community level.

The ACC reiterated the need for timely sharing of information to enable quick response and arrest of perpetrators. The meeting also emphasized reporting incidents promptly, identifying emerging issues, and enhancing grassroots engagement to sustain security.

“Even though we still face challenges, there has been notable improvement. We must continue until security is fully restored.”

The severity of the situation became evident when Pamela Kioko, deputy principal of Vision College shared her experience. Her home was recently broken into, valuables stolen, and her dog killed by a gang.

According to area chiefs, insecurity in Kisauni dates back to around 2012, when the sub-county covered a larger area.

Rapid population growth and a limited number of police stations worsened the problem. In response to public concerns, the government has since increased the number of local administrators and police stations to better manage the situation.

Friday’s meeting brought together chiefs, assistant county commissioners, village elders, media, community leaders, transport operators, IEBC officials, and representatives from the Office of the Registrar of Persons, among others.

Civil society and community groups urged the government to address joblessness and drug abuse, which they identified as major drivers of crime among the youth.

“Crime is fueled by unemployment and drug use. If the government can provide meaningful economic opportunities for young people, it would greatly help in eliminating insecurity,” said Lillian Muthike of Amkeni Community Organization, who also urged partnerships between the government and NGOs to educate the public.

Kisauni Sub-County peace chair Irene Randu encouraged continued collaboration between stakeholders and security agencies in reporting insecurity.

Parents were also cautioned against neglecting their responsibilities, especially during the school holidays, to prevent early marriages and delinquency among adolescents.

“Mombasa and Kisauni are among the areas most affected by drug and substance abuse. We call on all stakeholders to support the authorities in combating these vices,” said Pamela Makambong’o, assistant county commission for Bamburi.

She noted that drug use and poor parenting are major contributors to rising crime among teenagers.

Youth leader Elias Changawa from Kiembeni said young people are heavily represented among perpetrators, stressing the need for long-term government interventions.

“We cannot progress without solutions to unemployment and drug abuse. These issues must be addressed to achieve lasting peace and security,” he said.

Michael Mwaringa, representing the bodaboda sector, emphasized the importance of sensitising riders to prevent rogue operators from infiltrating the industry.

He noted that the sector is often unfairly blamed for aiding criminals, yet only a handful of unregistered operators fail to follow the regulations requiring all bodaboda riders to be documented and identifiable.