Fears of return of Sungu Sungu over growing insecurity in Kisii

A file photo of self-styled vigilante group Sungu Sungu causing fear in Kisii. [File, Standard]

On June 15 this year, more than 30 street urchins aged between 12 and 16 attacked a restaurant owned by the Kisii Central Ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Wilfred Monyenye in broad daylight.

The hotel along Kisii Town-Nyamataro Road is less than 30 metres from the town’s main bus terminus and not more than ten metres from the community policing office.

On that particular day, Monyenye was away from his business, but his wife, who operates the business, was not lucky; she was attacked by the machete-wielding urchins.

In his statement after the attack, Monyenye said at least five cars parked outside his hotel were vandalised. “I have never had issues with these street children. Police have visited the scene, and I expect that thorough investigations be done. We have a governor and an active police force. They should combine forces and ensure we have eradicated this kind of thuggery.”

Monyenye, who has served the area as a civic leader for more than 35 years, said the happenings in the town could keep away potential investors. “The National Government must act; we need these street children out of town. It has taken years for private developers to put proper structures in Kisii town.”

A few days later, while issuing bursaries cheques at Gusii stadium, Kisii Governor Simba Arati called on the police to stand firm and deal with the new wave of crime in the town.

“We have a hardworking and efficient police force, but there are claims a few of them could be tolerating this kind of menace. We will name and shame them in public.”

A month before the restaurant attack, five community policing members who had responded to the cries of locals, who were being attacked around Daraja Mbili Market, were brutally attacked by the street children operating at the market.

A member of community policing was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for more than two weeks after sustaining deep face cuts and head injuries. This incident forced security officers to increase night patrols in the Nyanchwa area. Several youths were arrested, interrogated and later released.

A source at the Nyanchwa Police Station revealed police had gathered crucial leads that could assist in the arrest and possible prosecution of more than eight youths who have been leading in reported burglaries and attacks in the area.

“We have visited their homes and houses with the help of members of the community policing. A number of them have fled the area.”

A number of cases of isolated criminal activities, including burglaries and attacks on innocent locals recently, have been blamed on the urchins.

Several of them were forced out of the Kisii Town dumping site that has been their dwelling for more than 15 years. The dumping site was cleared some four months ago.

Forced to seek an alternative shelter, they moved to the town’s streets.

At least 100 of the urchins have been operating near the bus terminus while others aged between 18 and 25 moved to Daraja Mbili Market area. Those aged below 12 years have been loitering in the Kisii town streets.

In the last three weeks, the bodies of two known street children have been picked in the town, with the latest one five days ago.

It is not yet clear who killed the two, but the more than 300 urchins who have been loitering in Kisii town day and night have suddenly disappeared with word that a team of former Sungu Sungu terror had regrouped to restore order in the area.

Kisii County Police Commander Charles Kasses maintains that all criminals will be dealt with as per the law. “We have restored order in Nyanchwa and all other parts of Kisii. There is no room for criminals to thrive in the town. We will also issue summons to politicians who could be fuelling such activities.”

Sungu Sungu, a self-styled vigilante group, was between 2007 and 2010 used to neutralise criminals in the area. They successfully brought order to the area.

The group was despised and loved in equal measure among the Abagusii. Their deep-rooted network meant they sometimes got information way ahead of the police.