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Scores injured as gangs fight in Mathare slum

By Cyrus Ombati

At least seven people, including a police officer, were injured following a clash between two warring gangs in Mathare slums, Nairobi.

The groups started fighting at about midnight after one accused the other of working with police.

Witnesses and survivors said the attackers were armed with pangas.

At least eight houses were also burnt in the attacks.

The attackers, who are facing various criminal charges, allegedly raided the area and flushed out individuals who they accused of betraying them to police.

According to locals and police, the attackers numbering about 20 have been charged in court with various offences that include robbery and are out on bond.

law and order

A police officer said the group may have been on a revenge mission after being freed.

“They were arrested and identified by locals after several meetings that were aimed at restoring law and order in the slum. They are facing various crimes,” Starehe OCPD Aphiod Nyaga told The Standard.

It was an all out fight in Mathare C before police arrived an hour later.  Arrival of police, however, did not stop the fighting since it continued until Sunday dawn when more officers arrived.

Tension remained high on Sunday as police continued to patrol the area amid fears of more revenge attacks. Locals asked for more security especially at night.

Nyaga said over 500 officers have been deployed through affected areas.

He added they are investigating if the attacks may have been politically instigated. “You never know because this area is cosmopolitan. We are, however investigating if there could be any political influence,” he said.

Mathare slum is not new to such incidents. It is one of the biggest slums in the city and accommodates thousands of people.

recovered gun

Meanwhile, three suspected thugs were at the weekend killed in separate robbery incidents in Nairobi.

The first suspect was killed in a botched robbery at a bar in Quarry area, Embakasi. Police said the man was in the company of five others and had attacked patrons at Jupiter Bar when alarm was raised.

Embakasi OCPD Odhiambo Akelo said police recovered a gun with three bullets. Another suspect was shot dead in an attempted robbery in Ongata Rongai, Nairobi.

Police said they arrested three other suspects and recovered machetes.

In another incident, a suspect was lynched by a mob after an attempted robbery in Parklands area. Nairobi area police boss Anthony Kibuchi said a gang had tried to break into a residential house when the alarm was raised. Residents stoned the suspect to death before police were alerted.

In Kariobangi North, a suspect was shot and wounded during a botched robbery.

According to police, the victim was in the company of three others and was robbing residents. A homemade gun was recovered from him. Police said he is under arrest and will appear in court.

 terrorism

In Mukuru slums, two men were burnt to death and 12 other structures flattened in a fire incident.

Police suspect the fire was caused by an electric fault.

Police have assured they have intensified patrols in Nairobi as part of efforts to address growing fears of terrorism and other crimes.