Fear has gripped parts of Central Kenya after the dreaded Mungiki sect reportedly made a comeback.
The sect has regrouped in several areas including Mwea and Kutus in Kirinyaga County, Nyeri town and Kiriaini in Murang’a as well as parts of Nyandarua.
The sects biggest base currently is alleged to be in Kiandutu slums and Makongeni in the outskirts of Thika Town.
To throw authorities off track, the sect is reportedly taking the guise of Nairobi's Kayole-based criminal gang Gaza as reported by Nation.
Members of the new Mungiki have adopted a unique dress code synonymous with the Gaza gang including skinny jeans usually ankle length, open shoes, beach shirt and a cap.
Besides, the sect members are said to spot scouts khaki shirts and military (combat) attire although many teenagers having taken up the fashion unaware of its links.
The re-branded sect is reportedly extorting money from public transport operators, construction sites, businesses and residents in popular estates in the name of "protection fees".
Unlike the traditional Mungiki sect, the new outfit has not exhibited oath-related rituals, but it has adopted extortion, muggings and break-ins to amass finances.
The gang is also reported to have recruited schoolchildren, who are tasked with the muggings and burglaries.
At the Nyeri Town lower bus terminus, for instance, four touts reportedly lead the group operations demanding Ksh50 per trip from matatu operators as "protection fees".
Residents of Witemere, Blue Valley and parts of Ruring’u in Nyeri are allegedly forced to part with between Ksh500 and Ksh1,000 per week for "protection".
In Mwea, people leasing rice fields, bodaboda operators and traders are among those targeted in the gang's operations.
The Kayole-based Gaza gang is known to have roots in Murang’a with its leader George Mwaniki alias Mwane and his wife, Claire Njoki alias Clea Adi Vybz, who were gunned down by police, hailing from Murang’a.
Central Regional Commissioner Wilson Njega warned that the uprising gang will be dealt with decisively.
"They can call themselves Gaza or any other name but we know they are Mungiki. We will deal with them ruthlessly. That kind of business has no place in Central," Njega quipped.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i is said to have ordered a crackdown to suppress the sect within 100 days ending December 30, 2018.
