Police on Wednesday issued a warning over the emergence of proscribed criminal gangs terrorising residents in several counties including Murang'a.
According to a statement released by the National Police Service (NPS), the gangs are being led by certain known individuals in Murang'a County.
The gangs reportedly have ties with others in some identified towns and are attempting to resuscitate the activities of certain proscribed criminal gangs to further their selfish personal interests.
"In this regard, we wish to inform the public that we have launched investigations into their activities that are aimed at dealing with the said individuals in accordance with the law.
"We therefore call on anyone who may have fallen victim to these extortionist rings to report to the nearest Police Officer or Police Station for action," the statement by the police read.
The police further warned that they shall not condone any form of gangsterism in the country.
"Anyone attempting to revive such proscribed criminal groups will face the full force of the law," the statement concluded.
The statement came hours after police arrested 50 youngsters suspected to belong to proscribed gangs including Gaza, Mungiki, 42 Brothers, and Usiku Sacco.
The youth, most of whom are aged between 12 and 19 years, are affiliated to criminal gangs that have perfected the art of terror and extortion.
Murang'a police boss Mohammed Farah noted that they have intensified patrols in Kabati and Kandara, which are the worst affected by the proliferation of criminal gangs.
In mid-November, Kandara MP Alice Wahome decried the emergence of criminal gangs in her constituency who tortured Juliano Kanyonyo, a partial orphan, after he failed to offer them a hen as part of his transition into adulthood.
