- Three were suspected Gaza criminal gang members and two Ghetto village.
- Two weeks ago, the gangs went on a killing spree after their member was lynched.
Image: JACK OWUOR
Five people suspected to be members of the Kiamaiko criminal gangs were on Friday arrested by police.
The five—three said to be members of Gaza, while the other two are members of the Ghetto village—were arrested after The Star highlighted a story on how criminal gangs are terrorising residents.
Starehe OCPD Julius Kirago said the five had been arrested and arraigned in court to answer different charges.
Korey Ali alias Medusa, Ahmed Hilbo and Samuel Nyambura were charged with attempted murder while Maurice Silasio and Joseph Wafula were charged with preparation to commit a felony.
“The magistrate, however, advised the police to amend the charge on preparation to commit a felony. The other three were charged with attempted murder,” said the police boss.
Kiragu said the complainant reported that the armed gang assaulted him.
“The complainant said the gang accosted him and even shot in the air,” he said.
Two people were killed as gangs clashed two weeks ago after the lynching of one suspected criminal. They avenged the deaths.
Chudo Jillo, 22, and David Muiruri, 32, were stabbed and died at Huruma Nursing Hospital.
Though community leaders are supposed to have great influence, residents say organised gangs have taken over some sections.
The gangs are said to have begun as youth development and empowerment groups. They cleaned the slaughterhouse and trucks, reared poultry and rabbits and did some farming.
The desire to control the goat business and territory has given rise to organised criminal gangs who rule the area, terrifying and attacking residents. Drug abuse is also rampant.
The business is lucrative as the youths are allowed to take goats that died during transportation at no cost. They sell them for Sh3,000 to Sh6,000, depending on size.
“They get about 10 goats every day that gives them at least Sh30,000 a day," Kiragu said.
Some members who violated rules were expelled from the group but they regrouped and formed a rival gang.
“They still wanted a share of the resources and that led to constant wrangles and even the territorial segregation,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara