Nairobi County Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko on Sunday, January 21 announced the formation of an anti-mugging squad following an outcry over increased cases of robbery in the CBD. In the recent past, cases of people complaining over the increased robbery in the CBD have increased with some women claiming that muggers rob them of their expensive weaves, wigs, and jewelry.
Sonko, posting on his Twitter handle notified followers that his office formed the squad after complaints that business people and politicians fund youths to terrorize people. He tweeted that the newly formed group will work with closely with Kenya Police to manage the menace.
The Governor assured Nairobians that following the formation of the group, arrests will be made in attempts to rid the city of muggers.
My office has today formed an anti-mugging squad which will work closely with Kenya Police. We've also received intelligence that some politicians and business people are funding youths to terrorize people. We are on lookout and several arrests will be made forthwith.— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) January 21, 2018
Kenyans, however, did not welcome the idea well. They expressed their feelings towards Sonko’s move while most questioned why he would introduce another group instead of empowering the existing police force.
Here are some of the responses Sonko’s idea elicited;
Politicians funding youths to mug people. That's the silliest excuse yet. Be it the case, this wouldn't work if security was tight. Umelala— Babu (@Mudanya_) January 22, 2018
Mr Governor once you handle unemployment for both professionals,semiskilled and unskilled without nepotism this I the time you will have better Nairobi
— Jane Mwanziu (@jane1mwanziu) January 22, 2018
These are the same youth u brought to control traffic. By forming anti mugging under what by-law. U r compounding the problem— Mcorwe@_ Elly (@Mcorwe) January 22, 2018
Those are money siphoning outlets. The CCTV either don't work or the authorities are not keen on using what has been captured. It is such a let down
— Onyango Olang (@OnyangoOlang2) January 21, 2018
We should borrow a leaf from Nigeria that established the Special Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) in Nigeria who forcefully extorted, robbed, killed, assaulted, harassed innocent Nigerian citizens. Instead of protecting them, they became robbers with legal backing! Rethink that move— DUGUDICHI (@JDugudichi) January 22, 2018
Sonko aki, think for once, first clear the streets of hawkers, street families & matatu touts. Thereafter you can pull this stunt— Qs Smith (@Smith_Hempstone) January 21, 2018
Mr Governor.. You are empowered to march to the Nairobi Police Commander's office and demand action from him. Saves you the costs to Administer this Team
— LawiSultanNjeremani (@LawiNjeremani) January 22, 2018
Those are money siphoning outlets. The CCTV either don't work or the authorities are not keen on using what has been captured. It is such a let down— Onyango Olang (@OnyangoOlang2) January 21, 2018
Anti-mugging squad? Why not use the police?
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— Raymond Kyalo (@raymond_kyalo) January 22, 2018
What do the police see in their cctv monitoring control room. The kshs. 15B safaricom project. It even has face recognition ability.
— Abu Daud (@RKI2011) January 21, 2018
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