Mombasa police arrest 17 suspects and recover 10 machetes in swoop

Regional Police Commander Francis Wanjohi

MOMBASA: Police say they arrested 17 men and recovered 10 machetes during a swoop covering several estates in Mombasa on Saturday.

Several rolls of bhang were also recovered from some of the suspects, according to police.

Regional Police Commander Francis Wanjohi said the suspects belong to violent gangs that have been robbing and harassing Mombasa residents.

"On Saturday night, following a tip-off that there were criminals who were intending to conduct a series of robberies within the county, police officers conducted raids in different areas including Majengo, Tononoka, Sabasaba and Buxton, where they managed to arrest 17 men armed with pangas. We believe they we intending to use the weapons to perpetrate robbery," said Wanjohi.

Wanjohi said the suspects are believed to be from Kisauni and are members of a criminal gang christened 'Wakali Wao' that has been stealing from unsuspecting people.