Mombasa, KENYA: Four of the 20 wanted criminal gangs of watalia linked to a series of robberies and attacks of citizens have surrendered to authorities in Likoni, Mombasa county.
The four suspects surrendered to a security team chaired by Likoni DCC Eric Mulevu Thursday midmorning.
The suspects are Nuru Ali Mohammed, Gregory Otieno, James Kimani and Jackson Kitonga.
They were accompanied by their parents and village elders.
Police took the details of the suspects including names, images, the area of residence and parent’s details for further verification of the details that will be shared among the security personnel.
The suspects revealed to the security team that they have carried out atrocities in the area against the residents.
Their names had been forwarded to the police and listed as wanted and dangerous criminals.
Two of the suspects surrendered their weapons which they have been using to attack civilians before robbing them.
Eighteen others failed to surrender after word went round they would be arrested and taken to court.
The DCC told reporters at his office that the suspects would be grilled further for more information.
“We are doing profiling, thereafter they will assist police in identifying other criminals,” said the Dcc.
He noted that some other dangerous criminals have fled the area following an ongoing crackdown in the area.
“The law will catch up with them, its a matter of time and we will follow them wherever they are,” said the DCC.
He added that those who failed to surrender will be followed and the law will take its course.
Police records show over 1000 youths in likoni alone are members of outlawed criminal
gang of watalia,wajukuwabibu,wakalikwanza,bokoharam and Loliondo.
Majority of the criminal gangs in Likoni are said to be juveniles and have killed several people by slashing them using machetes and pangas.
Majority of the suspects are also said to be primary school dropouts and allegedly hooked on drugs.
