For over a decade, Nakuru city was held under the yolk of an organized criminal gang ‘confirm’ which was involved in a spate of criminal activity in the county and beyond.

The gang which stemmed from the sprawling slums of Kivumbini, flamingo, Bondeni, and Kisulisuli in Nakuru East sub county was known for its ruthless mobile money fraud, their main source of income, which later morphed into robbery, muggings and burglaries.

From their base in Nakuru East they spread their tentacles to other parts of the county including Nakuru west, Bahati and Njoro.

However, a decisive action by the country’s top security organ in mid last year to embark on a massive crackdown on the gangs slowed their activities following the arrest of their members with others fleeing their locales.

Under the command of the no-nonsense crime buster Peter Mwanzo who took over the reign as the county police boss, the police appeared to have finally conquered the organized criminal gang menace.

But this was only a few months before Mwanzo was recalled to the headquarters at the vigilance house.

The new sheriff Zachary Kimani was, however, yet to learn the city’s landscape when the gang invaded the scene. With vigour and impunity it manifested itself through deadly attacks, muggings and burglaries.

Nakuru County Police Commander Zachary Kimani (left) and Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara at a previous press conference.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

This time round the gang comprised two confirm gang splinter groups Mauki and WaTZ which were embroiled in a territorial fight in Nakuru west.

The estates of Kapembwo, Rhonda, Stima line and Jasho became the new operation grounds for the gangs.

And for the last one month, at least two people have been killed and scores injured during the retaliatory attacks by the gang factions.

Fear has now gripped the residents of Nakuru West following the resurgence of the criminal gangs.

The tension has seen some residents send alarming messages online which have disrupted the smooth flow of life in the region.

The false alarms concerning attacks by the gangs has seen residents change their traditional ways of life in a bid to stay safe from the gang’s activities.

Ann, not her real name, is a trader at Wakulima market who resides in Kaptembwo.

She explained to Mtaa Wangu how she is forced to close her shop early so that she can get home on time to avoid being attacked by the gangs.

According to her, she is likely to be attacked by criminals or harassed by police officers who conduct patrols in the estates.

"It is sad that the police have been unable to tame the criminal gangs which has subjected our lives to risk,” said Ann.

Martin who is a matatu driver and a resident of Rhonda said the gang members have been robbing the shops in the area which has forced businessmen to close their shops early.

“Our customers are afraid of going home late which has affected our work at night. We need the government to move with speed to tame this menace,” said Martin.

Parents on the other hand are afraid of their children’s safety, fearing that they may be caught up in the sporadic attacks.

Ms Kerubo , a mother of a grade five pupil from Kaptembwo said she is forced to escort her son to school in the morning and pick him in the afternoon to ensure he is safe.

“You never know when the gang will attack so I have to make sure that my child is safe,” said Ms Kerubo.

In a bid to quell the situation, the county security team led by the county commissioner Loyford Kibaara have embarked on an operation to flush out the criminals.

The first crackdown conducted on Sunday last week in Bahati, Nakuru East and West netted 300 individuals suspected to be members of the organised gangs.

Police recovered assorted crude weapons including daggers and machetes as well as clubs.

A second operation carried out in the slums in Nakuru West led to the arrest of 78 individuals.

Members of the county security team display weapons found in a raid conducted last week where 78 suspected gang members were arrested.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

A cross section of Nakuru Leaders including the area MP Samuel Arama and the Lands and Public Works Chief Administrative Secretary Kimani Ngunjiri have raised concerns over the resurgence of the gangs which they said is a threat to national security.

Mr Ngunjiri called upon the security agencies to investigate the alleged recruitment of youth in outlawed gangs and sects and prosecute members of the establishments.

“We cannot allow the gangs back to our county because we know how much they had affected us. Let the security agencies move with speed to neutralize them before they run out of control,” said Mr Ngunjiri.

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

Cries of Crime: How criminal gangs have disrupted the lives of residents in Nakuru West

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Joseph Openda