Six individuals are in police custody following a major security operation targeting violent criminal gangs operating in Mombasa County, Kilifi County, and Kwale County.
Acting on credible intelligence, detectives launched coordinated raids on suspected members of the notorious “Panga Boys” gang, a group believed to be behind a recent surge in violent attacks that has left residents across the Coast region living in fear. The operation forms part of a broader crackdown aimed at restoring calm and dismantling organized criminal networks that have been terrorizing local communities.
The six suspects arrested have been identified as Nicholas Mumba Chisiwa, Haniff Iqbal Sharbaz, Salim Mafuko Hamis, Ali Musa Mwachimwandi, Sadik Hamis Mwanzembe, and Samuel Gitonga. Authorities say the individuals had been under surveillance after being profiled in connection with multiple incidents of violence and intimidation.
During the arrests, officers reportedly recovered crude weapons believed to have been used in previous attacks, as well as narcotic substances. The discovery supports earlier intelligence assessments linking the suspects not only to armed assaults but also to drug-related criminal activities that have contributed to insecurity in parts of the coastal region.
All six are currently undergoing processing as investigations continue into several related cases that remain under active review. Detectives are working to establish the full extent of the gang’s operations, including identifying additional accomplices and financiers.
Security agencies have assured the public that operations are still ongoing, with more arrests expected as the crackdown intensifies. Authorities maintain that they remain on high alert and are committed to ensuring the safety of residents across the Coast region.
