Mombasa, KENYA: Police in likoni are holding 23 men and women arrested on Sunday night after police raided several brothels in the sub-county.
The suspects, 10 women and 13 men, were arrested during a swoop targeting to eradicate commercial sex workers in the fast growing sub-county; whom police say engage in drug trafficking.
According to Likoni police chief Willy Simba,several rooms had been turned into exclusive brothels where prostitutes were allowed to” work” day and night.
He said many of the women arrested are of school age but have turned to prostitution.
A police source who was in the operation, told Baraka FM that the women could charge as little as sh.50 for the service and most of them have been in the business for over 15 years.
“Business was booming but the fee is very little, we can’t turn away but we have to accept,we have no otherwise,” one of the woman arrested told the police.
Meanwhile, police are hunting down a gang of six knife wielding thugs who are said to have terrorized residents in Mrima area for 2 hours.
The suspects whom police are yet to arrest, launched door to door attack robbing people on Sunday night,a witness told Baraka FM.
The suspects had masks and armed with machetes.
Likoni police boss Willy Simba confirmed to Baraka FM that they received distress call from one of the residents, but on arrival the assailants had escaped.
“We sent troops there but we didn’t get anyone. It seems like they had escaped but we are investigating the same and we will make arrests soon,” said the police boss.
The gang is suspected to be members of young thugs;a gang which have caused havoc in the area recently.
