Muslim leaders ask police to deal with gangs ahead of Ramadhan
Muslim leaders in Mombasa County have called on security agents to come up with tough measures to deal with criminal gangs that have been terrorising residents ahead of holy month of Ramadhan.
Muslims across the world are set to start observing the holy month on Wednesday next week.
Speaking during a press briefing at Mbaruk mosque in Mombasa, the clerics from Supreme Council of Kenya (Supkem) and Kenya Assembly of Ulammah said the gangs will likely disrupt activities during Ramadhan if they are not dealt with.
MACHETES
“Most prayers are conducted at night during Ramadhan and with the rise of attacks by the gangs, especially in Kisauni, we are worried. This is why we are calling upon the security officers to address this matter which is now getting out of hand urgently,” said Supkem Coast regional chairman Sheikh Muhdhar Khitamy.
On Sunday, at least 15 members of Wakali Kwanza, one of the dreaded gangs in Kisauni armed with machetes, cornered a man and hacked him to death in Mwandoni.
Three of them attacked the man identified as Said, killing him in an incident that has made elicited uproar from the public which is calling for elimination of prowling juvenile gangs.
PATROLS
Sheikh Muhdhar said there is need for police in the region to change tactic in dealing with the gangs.
“Ramadhan is a month of peace and we would not like to see blood being shed. Police should work with the community officials to ensure that the gangs are tamed. We cannot allow the youth to stop us from conducting our prayers,” he said, adding there is need for more police patrols.
Kenya Assembly of Ulammah secretary general Sheikh Badru Khamis said the gangs may take advantage of frequent power outage.
KILLED
Sheikh Khamis said if the issue of power outage is not addressed, residents will be attacked and robbed.
“Mombasa used to be peaceful and we need to see that glory back. We are also appealing to the parents to take charge so that we deal with our youth as one,” said Sheikh Khamis.
Police in the county are grappling with rising number of youth gangs whose members have been shot down in the past fe months.
However, the situation has not been contained despite the elimination of the members.
In the last two months, at least 14 members of the gang have been gunned down by police officers.
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