Police raise alarm over al Shabaab returnees

Authorities in Diani, Kwale County arrested 22 Panga welding youth aged 19-23 years old for attacking and injuring locals.

Diani is well known and has been a tourist haven for both foreign and locals.

In the past few months the town has been turned to be a war zone between the youth and locals. The gang’s brutality knows no bounds. They strike at random, sparing neither the young nor the old, according to locals.

On Saturday, panga-wielding youths terrorized locals in broad daylight, leaving behind a trail of blood and losses as victims were robbed of their valuables.

Several businesses within Diani were forced to shut down as the gang went on a rampage, attacking both residents and business premises.

Police fired in the air to disperse the youth, arresting 22 suspects in the process.
They claimed they were protesting the killing of a local over crime issue.

Kwale County Police boss Reginald Omaria said that the violence erupted after the burial of a 29-year-old man who had been stabbed to death on Friday by unknown assailants.

“The youth were returning from burying their friend when they launched a retaliatory attack and began assaulting people indiscriminately along the way,” said Omaria.

He noted that security has been reinforced across Ukunda and Diani, with a multi-agency operation involving officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) and other law enforcement agencies.

During Saturday’s attack, Brivian Simiyu, a journalist with Msenangu FM, was among the victims.

Simiyu was ambushed near Cooperative Bank in Ukunda, just a few kilometers from the Diani Police Station, as he was heading home from work.

“I was attacked by about six youths wielding pangas and blunt weapons,” he recounted.

In a horrifying moment, one gang member swung a panga at his head. Simiyu instinctively dodged, but the blade sliced through his left ear, leaving him bleeding profusely.

As he tried to escape, he tripped and fell, giving the gang another opportunity to strike.

While he lay on the ground screaming for help, they beat him and robbed him of his phone, money, and other valuables.

Although some people heard his cries, they were too terrified to intervene.

Simiyu described his survival as nothing short of a miracle but admitted that both the physical and emotional scars would take time to heal.

He later reported the incident at Diani Police Station.

Following Saturday’s attack, residents are living in constant fear, unsure if they will make it home safely.

Simiyu’s case is just one of many that have rocked the area in recent days.

Attacks have been reported in Mvindeni, Darad, Ibiza, Kona Ya Msa, and Beach Road, among other places.

Omaria added they are also on higher alert on suspected al Shabaab returnees who might trigger or cause violent.

“We are on a very high alert concerning any security threat. Security is paramount to any Kenyan and our work is provide security to the same people,” he added.

The arrested suspects are expected to be arraigned.