Fear rents the air as you go through the rough feeder roads that traverse Rhonda estate.

Our presence here brings visible discomfort as residents form small groups, staring at us while murmuring in hushed tones.

The recent happenings where two suspected gang members were killed in Nakuru West has led to unrest in the area owing to the rivalry between Mauki and WaTz gangs.

The two gangs, Mtaa Wangu has learnt, are splinter groups of confirm, a group of young men that started as a fraud syndicate.

Our investigations lead us to two men, who say were members of the gangs but have since turned away from the life of crime.

“WaTZ operate mostly in Nakuru East Sub County carrying out activities in Kivumbini, Bondeni and Flamingo estates while Mauki operates in Nakuru West Sub-county and more so in Rhonda estate where they have a base,” John (not his real name) reveals.

Interestingly, John informs us that Mauki was not a gang name before, but a slang coined by youth who were born and raised up in Rhonda.

He says harsh economic times led to some of the youth dropping out from school. The youth would later start a motorbike stage in the area christening it Mauki Stage just near Rhonda Posta.

The stage would later be transformed into a den of criminal activities.

“It is here that Mauki criminal group would converge after carrying out a mission,” he continues.

Thus, Rhonda became known as Mauki’s zone.

So territorial are the members, that whenever affiliates of other gangs step into the area, they are beaten up and at times stabbed and left for dead.

“Whenever there is a fight between Mauki and WaTZ, it is either because of territory, money or a girl,” John discloses.

According to him, the aim of all gang members is to live a lavish life. This is achieved through making money by any means necessary, even if it means killing for it.

But what bothers many Nakuru residents is how these criminal activities continue to be orchestrated under the watchful eyes of the police.

We pose this question to Eric* another reformed criminal gang member who chuckles, perhaps at our naivety.

Eric admits that during his time as a gang member, he never made it to the police station, despite being arrested at their hideout more than once.

“Most cases never end up in court, simply because the arresting officers ask for ‘tea’. The suspects are willing to give up to Sh 30,000 to be released. Once you do that twice or thrice, you form a friendship with the officer. So every time the police plan a raid, that cop informs you. But this only works as long as you keep giving the officer the agreed money,” says Eric.

This even as Rhonda Police Station in Nakuru West has been on the spot for not containing the criminal activities in the area.

The move has seen Nakuru County Commissioner, Loyford Kibaara announce some changes at the station that saw a new OCS posted and some officers reshuffled too in a move aimed at addressing the upsurge in crimes that include daylight muggings, phone snatching and knife-stabbing.

In a previous press briefing, Mr Kibaara lamented at the laxity of some rogue police officers whom he said were aiding the criminals instead of flushing them out.

On his part, Nakuru West Sub County Police Commander Edwin Otieno Ogwari maintains that restoring sanity in Nakuru West is a collective responsibility.

“We shall continue to carry out operations to wipe out the criminal elements. We are partnering with our colleagues in other counties so that those who escape to the neighbouring counties are brought to book,” he says.

pmambili@gmail.com

Also Read: Cries of Crime: I am afraid that I will be attacked again

Cries of Crime: Inside Mauki, WaTZ gang wars and how rogue police officers are involved

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Pristone Mambili