Fears of Mungiki terror group return as 10 are seized at oathing den

Fresh fears have emerged in Central Kenya over suspected re-emergence of the dreaded Mungiki sect. 

Yesterday, police arrested 10 suspects in the middle of an oathing ceremony, sparking fears that the outlawed sect could be regrouping years after it was wiped out by the Government.

The suspects were apprehended some minutes after midnight while taking oath along River Chania, which cuts through Nyeri County.

Although police said they were treating the incident as an isolated case, some counties have witnessed crimes and murders similar to those  associated with the gang.

Last week in Kirinyaga County, a suspected Mungiki adherent was attacked and injured by villagers.

The county has in the past tasted the wrath of the sect and a militia gang established to counter it. In the neighbouring Murang'a County, there was tension late last month after a boda boda operator was found beheaded near Kenol Trading Centre. Mungiki was known to carry out such killings. 

In yesterday's dawn incident, Nyeri Officer Commanding Police Division Masai Makau said they intercepted the suspects as they tried to flee towards Nyeri town.

Matatu impounded

"Our officers on patrol in the area received an alert from the public about a group of people with deadlocks who had assembled along the banks of Chania River," Mr Makau said.

He said their demeanour and their mission along the river bank triggered suspicion from the public.

"We swiftly mobilised security agents who headed towards Kamakwa, but some suspects had got wind of the raid and they escaped," he added.

The OCPD said they arrested the 10 suspects and impounded a matatu they were to use to escape toward the town centre.

Makau said on being searched, police recovered several rolls of bhang and tobacco. The suspects were taken to Nyeri police station.

Tobacco sniffing is one of the defining habits of the sect members, who initially sported dreadlocks and were perceived to be advocating for traditionalist lifestyles, which clash with Christianity.

Makau said police were still on the ground and thoroughly combing the area to flush out those who could be hiding along the river bank.

"We thank Kamakwa and Nyeri residents in general for volunteering the information that led to the arrest and ask them to continue co-operating with the police," he said.

He said the suspects would be arraigned in court tomorrow, once the police are done with investigations. Early this year, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet warned of a plot by some individuals to revive criminal gangs ahead of the 2017 General Election.

Mr Boinnet said the National Police Service was aware of plans to revive over 50 outlawed groups in the country. He said the groups include Mungiki, Sungusungu, Gaza in Kayole, Superpower in Eastleigh, China Squad in Kisumu, Marachi Republican Council, Haribika Boys, Baragoi Boys, Sitaki Kujua and Chinkororo.