The murder of two businessmen in Nakuru East and Bahati days apart has sparked fears of resurgence of criminal gangs in Nakuru City. The two were gunned down in robbery incidents that have left residents living in fear.
In the first incident Mr Jackson Mwangi, a renowned businessman in Nakuru, was murdered by armed robbers who raided his shop located near Joyland Church in Pipeline area on the night of May 21.
“Upon gaining access to the shop, the armed robbers shot at the two after suspecting that they had recognized them. They later fled with items valued at more than Sh200,000,” said Ms Grace Wambui, a niece to the deceased.
Residents who heard the commotion ran to the shop, only to find the robbers had escaped. They rushed the couple to the Nakuru Level Five Hospital.
Mr Mwangi was confirmed dead on arrival, while his wife, who was injured on the arm, was treated and is currently recuperating at the hospital.
According to Nakuru East Sub County police commander, Samson Andaje, the matter is already under investigation.
"Detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are currently investigating the matter and soon the culprits will be apprehended," said Andanje.
Acting Nakuru County Police Commander Lilies Wachira said, that police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
“We are aware of the incident and have commenced investigations as our officers pursue the suspects. We are also investigating to establish if there is resurgence of criminal gangs in the region,” said Ms Wachira.
"We will not allow resurgence of gangs in Nakuru. We will dismantle their cells," added the police boss.
The murder sparked anger among the residents who took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against rising insecurity in the estate. They blocked the Pipeline-Elementaita road with boulders in a bid to have their grievances heard.
Maina Nyaituga, an area resident, accused the police of laxity, noting that a similar incident occurred a few days before when a resident was robbed at gunpoint.
Mr Nyaituga lamented that the area has for a long time grappled with insecurity yet no measures have been put in place to deal with the issue. He said the authorities have failed to act as gangs terrorize residents.
He said residents have severally raised the concerns with authorities yet no tangible actions have been.
“The robbery incidents present a worrying trend in our estate and we want the authorities to take the matter seriously. We also believe lack of security lights and the poor roads in the area are contributing to the rise of insecurity in this estate,” he said.
In another incident, Mr Paul Ndungu, a businessman in Ndege Ndimu in Bahati Sub-County, was shot dead on Friday night, while a eight-year-old boy succumbed to injuries' while receiving treatment at the Nakuru Teaching and Refferal Hospital, after he was attacked by the gang.
In the past criminal gangs like Confirm, Mauki, Wa TZ, Nyuki, Gaza and Dragon have terrorised residents, killing and maiming before they were tamed.
In 2022, security agencies embarked on a sustained crackdown, sanctioned by then Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i, that ran most of the gangs out of Nakuru City.
However, security agencies in the city are now grappling with the new wave of crime. But it seems the remnants of the criminal gangs are slowly regrouping.
A senior police officer revealed that some of the criminal gangs, whose cells were destroyed, are gradually regrouping in the region.
"We have seen attempts by some criminal gangs to regroup but we will not allow that to happen. We are determined to suppress them completely," the officer said.
