For residents of Madogo town in Tana River County, life has become a risky gamble as they live at the mercy of a criminal gang that has refused to fade away.
The Kayole brothers are a machete-wielding gang of teenage school dropouts.
According to the residents, the group attacks robs and harms people especially at dawn or dusk.
"You will never see them seated anywhere as a group, but as you walk, you will suddenly feel a tight grip on your neck and sharp objects poking your ribs, and in a split second they are gone," says Mr Joseph Mwita.
According to Mr Mwita, the group is known to hunt down anybody against their activities.
On November 22, the group reportedly murdered a young man, Sam Muli, who is believed to have openly challenged their dealings in the small town.
"He differed with one of them on several occasions, especially on their mugging activities and ethnic profiling and I think that is why he was killed," says Nicholas Sila, a friend.
According to Mr Sila, the death of his friend was so shocking that it has left the family in grief for the past weeks.
"It appears the police are overwhelmed with the group, they need help and it's time we as residents take the law into our hands," he said.
He says that members of the group are opposed to the settlement of people from up-country and have influenced locals not to collaborate with the police in aiding their arrests.
"They tell locals that they are only interested in settlers from up-country and that is why they don't mug their own, and most of the residents believe them and are hiding any information that can lead to their arrest," he said.
Mr Shora noted that despite attempts by the police to clamp down on the group’s activities, more youths are joining the dreaded gang.
He says that their existence is affecting business in Madogo town as non-locals are fast seeking opportunities to invest in other towns away from Madogo.
"The key leaders of this group are in jail on robbery with violence counts, but it seems the teenage group that is taking over is proving to be more dangerous," he said.
The youth leader further noted that community policing is not yielding fruit as some parents openly shun any plans to counter the dangerous teen gang.
Tana River County Police Commander Karisa Mwaringa, in an interview, acknowledged the insecurity challenge posed by the teenagers.
He said the police and intelligence officers are enhancing patrols in the troubled areas of the town to ensure members of the gang are arrested and put behind bars.
"We have subdued the gang. Just a few elements emerging but we shall crop them out before they know; people should not panic," he said.
The county police commander also assured residents of security ahead of the Christmas festivities, urging each of them to be their neighbours’ keepers.
