Police unit formed to deal with notorious teenage gang

Irate locals demolish temporary kiosks at Bodneni slum estate in Nakuru suspected to be the hiding place of criminal gangs. [Mercy Kahenda/Standard]

Police have formed a special unit to combat a criminal gang that has been terrorising the county’s residents.

The gang, which is known to residents as the “Confirm Gang”, has been operating notoriously in Kivumbini, Flamingo, Kisulisuli, Kaloleni, Bondeni and Lake View estates.

The gang was outlawed in 2016. The newly formed unit is made of 15 officers from the National Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Nakuru Deputy sub-county Police Commander Daniel Kitavi said the team was formed last week after it was revealed that school-going children were being wooed to join the gang.

“The special unit will be assigned to carry out operations in places where the Confirm Gang operates,” said Mr Kitavi.

Last month, acting Assistant Inspector General of Police Patrick Obimo met members of the county community policing committees in Bondeni area.

The committee members said a high number of school-going children was joining the gang and that it was time the Government did something about it.

Deputy Principal of Kivumbini Secondary School Patrick Mwangi said in the last two years, about 15 students had joined the gang.

“Quick action is required to contain the criminal gang that is recruiting teenagers,” said Mr Mwangi.

Mr Obimo said more police officers and community policing committee members would be trained to help fight the gang.

So far 28 county police commanders and 117 regular officers have been trained on community policing.

The gang has teenagers aged between 13 and 18 years, and who operate in groups of between four and 20.