By Standard Reporter
For many people, it was only a matter of time before a blood bath visited Kirinyaga or Nyeri districts.
In the past two weeks, four vigilante groups have been roaming villages in Kirinyaga at night, ostensibly to hunt down Mungiki members and have killed 15 people.
The Mungiki has been known for vicious reprisal attacks, and residents have been living in fear.
Hours before the attack, there were signs all was not well, as police in Karatina, while heading to Kirinyaga, impounded a vehicle filled with all manner of weapons. Also, days before, police had raided a house and confiscated about 100 machetes.
Locals at the scene armed with pangas. [PHOTOS: STANDARD PHOTOGRAPHER]
However, officers are taking the blame for failing to stop Mungiki and the vigilante gangs. While police are in agreement that vigilante gangs have been committing murder, no one has been arrested.
"We are not happy, but it seems to be working for us. If we kill any of the Mungiki people, we are accused of committing extra-judicial executions. So, yes, it is working," a senior police officer said.
Escorted by police
On Monday, vigilantes wielding machetes and clubs made the rounds in Kirinyaga and Nyeri on motorcycles throughout the day. They were escorted by police, who made no effort to disarm them.
However, the groups are now being accused of being as callous as the Mungiki members they are fighting.
The gang has killed about 15 people they accuse of belonging to the proscribed sect, and set ablaze tens of houses. Information has it that there are four vigilante groups operating in various locations.
Those who decline to join them in their night time campaign are punished. When the anti-Mungiki campaign started three weeks ago, residents were full of praise, following years of living under the gang’s stranglehold.
Overnight, Mungiki extortion gangs were dismantled, eliciting cheers from the public. Traders in Kagumo market were especially happy, because Mungiki members who have been demanding protection fees have gone underground.
But things have since turned full circle, and the vigilantes, who call themselves ‘The Hague’, are now accused of cold-blooded murder.