Authorities at the Coast have raised alarm over the return of the dreaded Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) after police received intelligence reports over its resurgence.
Acting on the reports, the police on Friday raided a den in Kaya Jibana in Kilifi, believed to be a training ground, and arrested three youth who were part of 50 people taking part in the oathing exercise.
The police spent the better part of the weekend chasing after the other members of the gang that had escaped the dragnet.
Kaloleni Police Boss Kennedy Osanda revealed that among the arrested was a witch doctor and his son who were conducting the oath-taking exercise.
During the arrest, police recovered a cache of weapons including 10 machetes, arrows and bows as well as blood and red strips of cloth.
“We ask the public to be on the lookout for anyone who conducting burial in the area and inform the police to enable us bring to book suspects who are still at large,” Osanda added.
Osanda also stated that during the raid, they had ordered the youth to surrender, an order that they defied forcing the police to open fire.
“We challenged them to surrender but they defied and we opened fire on them. We strongly believe we injured most of them,” Osando told journalists at Mariakani police station.
He also urged the residents to volunteer any information that could lead the police to the whereabouts of the other gang members.
“We are calling upon the public to inform us if you see any anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or conducting burials around,” Osando added.
The police boss also warned the Kaya Elders not to allow the shrines in the area to be used by criminal elements or for any criminal oathing exercises.
In 2016, two members of the MRC were sentenced to death for Hacking four police officers to death on the eve of the March 4, 2013, General Election.
