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Mombasa authorities sound alarm after arresting 23 youths for criminal offenses

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir at Ronald Ngala for Eid celebrations. (X/Abdulswamad Nassir)

By Lucy Mumbi | Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Among the reported incidents were cases of phone theft and assaults on individuals going to mosques.

Parents have been urged to remain vigilant during the holiday season, following a spike in criminal activities involving young individuals in Mombasa.

This comes after 23 people, some as young as 16 and 17 years old, were arrested on Tuesday in Mombasa for involvement in criminal offences.

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Speaking on Wednesday after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Ronald Ngala grounds, Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Nur disclosed that the arrests were made in connection with crimes plaguing the Kisauni Sub-County.

Among the reported incidents were cases of phone theft and assaults on individuals going to mosques.

“Yesterday alone, we arrested 23 people who are engaging in crime. We won’t allow that trend to continue in Mombasa. We will extend the operation to Likoni and Jomvu sub-counties to weed out criminals,” Mohamed said.

He highlighted the emergence of Muguka chewing dens as potential hubs for criminal activities, with perpetrators often utilising the locations as bases for orchestrating unlawful acts, including mugging.

Following the crackdown, he emphasised the importance of parental oversight, urging parents to remain informed about their children's whereabouts and to deter them from loitering aimlessly.

“We want children to be at home before nightfall. We have finished Ramadhan and we will close all the dens,” he said.

While echoing the County Commissioner’s sentiments, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir underscored the collective responsibility of both parents and the community in combating crime.

He emphasised the pivotal role of education, stating that young individuals should be in school rather than engaging in illicit activities.

“Parents and the community must take responsibility. Parents should also be interrogated about their children’s behaviour. Data shows that whenever schools are open, crime rates are usually low but when they are closed, crime surges. It is not right,” he said.

The governor cautioned the youths involved in criminal behaviour about the long-term repercussions, adding that such actions could tarnish their future employment prospects.

In the renewed battle against alcohol and drug abuse, the County Commissioner disclosed that authorities have closed down 167 bars, confiscated 160 sachets of heroin, and disposed of 30,000 litres of bootleg liquor.

He also said that 21 chemists have been shuttered for illicitly dispensing drugs to children.

“We have also closed 21 pharmacies selling drugs to children. A chemist was found selling a sleeping pill to a seven-year-old child,” he said.