Armed gangs are terrorizing residents of Mitume slums in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County. They attacked for two straight nights, leaving locals living in fear.
The gangs struck on Sunday, August 31, and Monday, September 1. They injured dozens of people. Some victims are in hospitals, while others are recovering at home.
Witnesses said young men carried machetes and other crude weapons. They targeted people walking home from work. Families fled as chaos spread through the slum.
A resident urged the government to act quickly.
“We refuse to normalise insecurity. We are tired of harassment on our way to and from work,” the resident said.
Area MCA Francis Obingo condemned the attacks. He said most attackers were youths. He urged security agencies to act fast before the violence escalates.
Consequently, police launched an immediate operation. They arrested several suspects and seized weapons used in the attacks.
Additionally, a multi-agency security team rounded up 14 suspects in a well-coordinated raid across Umoja, Kisumu Ndogo, Tuwani, Bondeni, and Mitume areas. The suspects are now in custody. Authorities are profiling and processing them before they face charges in court.
Deputy Inspector General Masengeli vowed to crack down on the gangs. He promised to restore calm and protect residents.
Meanwhile, insecurity in Kitale has been rising in recent months. Residents demanded more patrols and urgent government action, warning that gangs have made life unbearable.
The government now faces mounting pressure to end the violence and ensure safety in Kitale.
