A chilling scene occurred on Monday, April 22nd, as captured by a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, showcasing a heinous daylight robbery on Haile Selassie Avenue in Mombasa outside a popular supermarket.
In the video footage circulating online, a man, holding goods he had purchased, was suddenly ambushed from behind by a youth who ensnared him in a tight headlock.
The man who headlocks the victim was running from the opposite direction, and turned once the victim had passed him. He went on to put the victim in a headlock, as the others joined in the robbery.
Within moments, a swarm of over 20 youths descended upon the victim, forcibly seizing his shopping bag and other belongings of unknown value.
Despite valiant attempts to resist, the victim found himself outnumbered and overpowered by the brazen assailants.
The identities of the perpetrators remain unclear, leaving authorities to speculate whether they were members of organised criminal gangs or dispossessed street children.
Of particular concern is the apparent youthfulness of some individuals depicted in the video, raising questions about the involvement of juveniles in criminal activities plaguing the region.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the police proved unsuccessful.
The coastal city has been grappling with a surge in criminal incidents, particularly attributed to the proliferation of gangs.
Just last month, authorities apprehended 10 individuals linked to gang-related violence.
Residents of Mombasa have voiced mounting apprehension over the escalating attacks perpetrated by machete-wielding juvenile gangs.
Notorious groups such as Shiranga, Young Thug, Watalia, Wajukuu wa Bibi, Wakali Wao, and Wakali Kwanza continue to instill fear among the populace.
Investigations by law enforcement agencies have uncovered troubling motives behind the criminal activities, ranging from political manipulation to occult influences perpetuated by witch doctors who imbue the assailants with a false sense of invincibility.
Last year, the government announced the deployment of specialised police units tasked with dismantling criminal networks and apprehending their sponsors. Yet, the resilience of these gangs persists, unabated by law enforcement efforts.
Instances of brazen violence, such as last year's fatal raid on an M-Pesa shop in Kisauni, serve as grim reminders of the pervasive threat posed by criminal elements.
During the botched robbery, three individuals lost their lives, while four others sustained injuries in a ruthless attack perpetrated by armed assailants.
