At least 12 suspected members of a gang calling itself 42 Brothers linked to spate of attacks in Butere sub-county have been arrested.
The gang has been blamed for the killing of at least 12 people and injuring 40 in the last two months.
The gang is believed to have members aged between 15 and 25 years.
Whenever they attacked, they left behind a common calling card: bodies with tongues, genitals and eyes ripped out.
This year alone, at least 224 cases of various criminal activities such as rape, murder, cattle rustling and selling of illicit brews had been reported from the sub-county.
Addressing the media in Kakamega town yesterday, Western Regional Commissioner Anne Ng’etich said four of the 12 suspects have been arraigned in court while eight others were in custody as police finalise investigations.
Ms Ng’etich said four other suspects have been earmarked for arrest, saying the regional security and intelligence team was still gathering enough evidence against them.
“We have also opened investigations on two other suspects and once we ascertain their culpability, they will be arrested and prosecuted,” she said.
The regional commissioner, however, dismissed the narrative that there existed an outlawed criminal gang in the area by the name 42 brothers, saying the attacks were as a result normal criminal activities in the area.
“We have heard of 42 brothers in Butere sub-county and 18 brothers in Kimilili Constituency. They just use the names to instill fear to the area residents,” said Ms Ng’etich.
The county government and Butere Constituency Development Fund (CDF) have partnered to construct a police station at Sabatia market as a way of curbing insecurity in the area.
Ng'etich said the county security team is working around the clock to ensure drugs and substance abuse in Luanda town is dealt with.
“No one will be spared in the fight against drug peddling in Luanda town. Already, several arrests have been made and we are determined to end the vice,” said Ng’etich.
As a way of averting the attacks in Western, the regional commissioner gave out toll free numbers that are manned 24 hours in the region, saying in case of any attacks, residents can call the numbers for rapid response from security officers.
The numbers
The numbers are, 056-2031219 and 020-3556771. The numbers are applicable in Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia and Vihiga counties. For those in Kakamega, they can also report any incident through 22068.
At the same time, Western Regional Police Commander Julius Kitili has assured the public that there will be adequate security during this festive season.
