Mombasa police publish names and faces of latest juvenile gang

Police have released names and faces of suspected members of a criminal gang that has been terrorising residents of Likoni.

The suspects, aged between 15 and 25 years, are said to belong to a gang called Watalia Group, which has been blamed for a spate of machete attacks, muggings, robberies and rape.

Some of the suspects are pupils. They were arrested at their homes and hideouts last week.

Yesterday parents thronged police stations seeking their release. The suspects were only freed after recording statements and an undertaking not to engage in crime.

Most of the suspects were arrested from Vyemani, Jamvi la Wageni and Majengo Mapya, where the gang has been active.

A source privy to investigations told The Standard one suspect led police to the homes of the rest.

Police also impounded knives, machetes and other weapons suspected to have been used in the attacks.

Parents' role

Yesterday, Likoni police chief Benjamin Rotich said parents were partly to blame for the rise of juvenile gangs for abdicating their roles in bringing up the children.

"Parents have a responsibility. If they can't take care of their children, we will do it for them," he said.

Parents of suspected gang members have been directed to report to the police on the progress of their children every two weeks.

"We have taken the parents' personal details for our records," said Mr Rotich.

Meanwhile, a suspected robber was yesterday killed by a mob at Jamvi la Wageni area in Likoni.

The suspect was killed and his body set a blaze when he attempted to commit a robbery on Wednesday. His five accomplices escaped.

Police said the gang, armed with machetes, had tried to rob a businessman.