Media outlets and users of social media have been urged to desist from using fake videos glorifying activities of criminal gangs.
Coast Regional Commissioner (RC), John Elungata, said it was disturbing to see some of the established media houses using recorded fake videos of criminal groups without verifying their authenticity.
“Some of the videos were recorded elsewhere and others have connection with the groups operating in Mombasa,” said Elungata.
He attributed the resurgence of the criminal gangs to the August 9th General Elections that are aimed at scaring or driving away a section of citizens perceived to be ‘political enemies.
Addressing a security meeting at Mtopanga area in Kisauni Sub-county, Elungata also warned old men who deceive the youth perpetuating criminal activities by allegedly giving them supernatural protective powers.
Elungata said such people performing witchcraft and pretending to possess supernatural powers were committing crime and they would not be spared in the on-going security operation to flush out juvenile criminal gangs terrorizing the residents.
The security meeting took place following the resurgence of juvenile criminal groups in the coastal city.
The criminal gangs of young boys aged between 12 and 18 years armed with pangas and other crude weapons have been terrorizing the residents of Mombasa, where several people have been seriously injured and hospitalized. The most affected areas are Kisauni, Old town and Likoni.
Coast Regional Police Commander, Titus Karuri, said the government will next week deploy a special police unit from Nairobi to end the insecurity menace in the coastal city.
Karuri said police will intensify the fight against crime and urged residents to volunteer information, that could help to dismantle the criminal gangs in the area.
Some of the areas that have borne the brunt of violence are Kisauni, Old Town in Mvita Constituency and Likoni, where the criminals have stubbed or hacked residents and stolen valuables.
