Rival gangs fight, kills one person and injure two in Nakuru town

One person killed in Flamingo Estate, Nakuru Town after two splinter groups of gangs clashed over territorial control. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Residents of Kivumbini and Flamingo estates in Nakuru town are living in fear after two rival gangs fighting over control of territory killed a 22-year-old man. 

According to police sources, an operation to dismantle the outlawed gang that commenced a month ago has led it to split into two factions that are now battling for control in Nakuru Town West and Nakuru Town East constituencies.

Nakuru County Police Commander Stanley Kilonzi said one faction from Rhoda estate in Nakuru Town West, descended on Flamingo Estate last week armed with machetes and clubs and broke into several houses suspected to belong to members of the splinter group.

It is then that they attacked and killed the 22-year-old man and seriously injured two others, aged 16 and 19.

The two were rushed to Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital where they are receiving treatment.

“Members of the gang armed with pangas, clubs and knives stabbed one person to death during a fight and seriously injured two,” said Kilonzi.

In a revenge mission, the other faction torched two houses at Flamingo Estate.

A contingent of police officers has been deployed at the scene to contain the brewing tension.

At least 18 suspects were arrested and taken to Bondeni Police Station to help police with investigations. 

Kilonzi said the suspects will be charged with murder and arson.

“We take such issues seriously; we cannot allow criminals to deny people peace to advance their own beliefs and doctrines. Let them know their days are numbered,” warned the police boss.

Kilonzi added that patrols shall also be intensified within the area to crack down on the gang, which was outlawed in 2016.

Police reports indicate that the gang operates in Kivumbini, Flamingo, Kisulisuli, Kaloleni, Bondeni and Lake View estates.

The gang is said to be behind most robberies in Nakuru town. “It is worrying that the gang consists of teenagers and youth ranging from the ages of 12 and 35. We will ensure each of them is brought to book,” said Kilonzi.

The police boss also asked locals to share information of suspected members of the gang.

“We are working together with chiefs, assistant chiefs and nyumba kumi elders to carry out a crackdown. But we need residents to share information and we assure them it will be treated with the confidence it deserves,” he said.

Residents who sought anonymity due to fear of being attacked by the gang said a suspected member of the gang was killed by the rival group a month ago at Mawanga Estate in Bahati.

The gang is also suspected to have killed a fourth year Information Technology student of  Mount Kenya University, at Mawanga in April.

“The criminals have been fighting for several weeks, a fight we are worried may lead to more deaths and disruption of peace,” a resident said.