Dandora dumpsite gang surrenders five guns to police after Sonko brokers

By CYRUS OMBATI

Members of one of the gangs that have been fighting for control of the Dandora dumpsite in Nairobi have surrendered five guns.

The guns were surrendered to police in Nairobi yesterday in a deal brokered by Senator Mike Sonko. The gunmen said they had been using the weapons to protect “their sections” of the site.

Nairobi police boss Benson Kibue said they were impressed by the decision of the gang members, most of whom are street children, to hand in the arms. The move comes days after a member of one of the gangs was killed and several others injured in a clash between two rival gangs fighting to control the landfill.

The fighting started early on Tuesday morning, with each of the gangs claiming control of a section of the site.

Police who moved in to quell the violence said they saw some of the group members armed with pistols.

Tension continued to mount on Wednesday and Thursday, with locals calling on police to address the menace by arresting armed groups that control the site.

Starehe OCPD Samuel Anampiu said they received reports that the groups were fighting and sent police to quell the violence in vain.