Lurking beneath Mombasa’s sandy beaches and natural treasures,was a place where terror and fear reigned supreme. This is the haunting story of the Wakali Kwanza gang, a group of degerates known for wielding knives and terrorizing the residents of Mshomoroni, Bamburi, and Kisauni.
The Wakali Kwanza gang was a collection of dropouts who had chosen a life of drugs and gang wars. Ruthlessness seemed to be their middle name, and their actions were enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine. Unlike other gangs that targeted large sums of money, these miscreants preferred to steal phones and cash from innocent civilians to fuel their drug habits. At some point, it was reported by Citizen News that the gang would suckle your breasts if you had no money on you.
In their world, violence was the norm. They had no qualms about stabbing or cutting open anyone who crossed their path, as a brave flying squad officer learned on June 16, 2018. Tragically, that officer later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. But even this loss did not deter the gang. Just months before, they had lost their presumed leader, Jillo, in a police encounter on March 13, 2018, and five more of their comrades met a similar fate on May 18, 2018, when they attempted to rob citizens with machetes in Kisauni.
Undaunted by these setbacks, the gang resurfaced, possibly under new leadership. On September 8, 2018, they attacked innocent citizens of Kiembeni returning from a night of celebration. Wearing police uniforms, they targeted Kadza Ndani village in September 2018, resulting in the death of Simon Kinuthia and severe head injuries to others.
These audacious attacks prompted the then-Police Inspector General Joseph Boinnet to issue a stern warning to the gang members in November 2018, promising to deal with them decisively. Security Cabinet Secretary Matiang’i echoed the same sentiments in January 2019, assuring the public that the authorities were well-equipped to confront Wakali Kwanza. However, these warnings fell on deaf ears, and the gangsters continued their reign of terror for four more months.
On March 31, 2019, they robbed passengers in a Matatu. In April 2019, they targeted a Bodaboda rider and his passenger, robbing them and stripping them naked. In a tragic incident on May 16, 2019, they fatally stabbed a fourth-year student at TUM, David Mwaura, while robbing him right outside his house.
The death of David Mwaura incited TUM students to stage a protest in Kisauni, as they constituted a significant number of tenants in the area due to the affordability and proximity of the housing to the university. Regrettably, the students were unable to stop the gang’s terror. David Mwaura’s death led to a massive operation in Kisauni in search of their new leader, known by the street name Captain J Dulla, who met his end on the morning of June 9.
While citizens welcomed Dulla’s demise, his gang vowed to seek revenge. Their message came on the night of August 5, 2019, when they attacked Bamburi. To make a statement, three gang members were arrested. This audacious attack prompted the Minister of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, to personally visit Kisauni on August 11, signaling an all-out war against the gang.
In the heart of Mombasa, the Wakali Kwanza gang’s reign of terror left a trail of fear and devastation. As the authorities continued to fight against their ruthless activities, the residents of Mombasa hoped for a safer and more secure future.
This story has been compiled from various online sources including threads from @MainaNdegwa22. Follow him for more