Police in Murang’a County have raised alarm over the resurgence of Mungiki, an outlawed sect notorious for terrorizing residents.
Speaking during a security meeting at Kigumo Sub-County headquarters, Murang’a County police commander, Ms. Donatha Kiplagat, stated that the security agencies had received intelligence information that the group was at an advanced stage of regrouping.
The police boss cautioned residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious groupings in the region while cautioning members of the public against associating with the group, as the government would take legal action against them.
Ms. Kiplagat added that recruitment into the group was underway, stating that youths were the most susceptible to falling into the gang’s trap.
“We have the challenge of youths joining the outlawed Mungiki group, which has started regrouping. We want to warn them that we are aware and will thwart their mission and take serious action against those involved” Kiplagat noted.
Kiplagat decried that the group was responsible for the deteriorating security situation in central Kenya’s county, promising to work collaboratively with the community elders and Nyumba Kumi Initiative members to protect the public.
Ahadi Kenya Trust Executive Director, Stanley Kamau, who was also present during the event, lauded Nyumba Kumi Initiative members, expressing that they had contributed immensely to a secure environment despite being underappreciated.
Kamau stated that Nyumba Kumi had relentlessly contributed to organizing communities by rallying them towards common causes of national importance.
Mungiki emerged in the 1980s and was characterized by a unique religious perspective that favoured conventional religious activities, as opposed to westernized forms.
The group was later linked with numerous extortion cases, including running public facilities such as toilets and charging residents fees in exchange for security.
The government outlawed Mungiki in 2002, following skirmishes that led to the death of more than 50 people as they tried to take over the Matatu sector. The group also played a significant role in exacerbating the 2007-2008 post-election violence, where they are linked with fueling ethnic animosity that led to the death of more than 1300 people, with hundreds of thousands displaced.
