In an effort to tackle gang violence head-on, Mombasa county is taking a decisive but controversial action.
Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff has announced plans to regulate how machetes, often referred to as ‘pangas’, are sold and possessed. This move is a direct response to the threat posed by the notorious ‘Panga Boys’ gang.
The governor has proposed changes to the Mombasa County Public Nuisance Act. These changes would require machete sellers to keep detailed records of their buyers. If a machete is later used in a crime, both the buyer and seller could face penalties.
This initiative has the backing of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who has promised police enforcement once the law is in place.
Governor Abdulswamad stressed the urgency of this measure, declaring, “Mombasa will not be held hostage by fear, violence, or intimidation. This is about protecting our people.” Carrying a machete in public, he warned, would soon be treated as seriously as possessing an illegal firearm.
But the crackdown doesn’t stop there. The governor also plans to tackle the illegal sale of psychiatric drugs by local chemists, which are reportedly being used by gang-affiliated youths. He made it clear: a pharmacy license will be contingent on not selling these drugs.
The ‘Panga Boys’ have been a menace to residents and businesses, but law enforcement is stepping up. Over 100 arrests have already been made, and Police Commander Ali Nuno has instructed officers to hold parents accountable for the actions of juvenile offenders. These efforts are all part of a broader strategy to restore peace and safety in Mombasa’s communities.
