Mombasa County to Enforce New Rules on Machete Ownership
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has announced that the county government is working on new laws to control the sale and possession of machetes, commonly known as pangas, in an effort to tackle the growing threat of criminal gangs such as the notorious “Panga Boys.”
Speaking on Monday, April 8, in Mombasa, the governor revealed that he has already presented a proposal to the county cabinet seeking to amend the Mombasa County Public Nuisance Act.
The proposed amendment aims to introduce strict regulations on who can sell and carry machetes in public.
If the Mombasa County Assembly passes the proposal into law, anyone selling machetes will be required to document and keep records of all their buyers. This move is designed to make it easier to trace weapons used in criminal activities back to both the seller and the buyer.
Governor Abdulswamad made it clear that in cases where a machete is used to commit a crime, both the individual who used it and the vendor who sold it will be held responsible under the law. They could face serious consequences, including hefty fines and legal action.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who is currently touring the Coast region, has expressed his full support for the proposed law. He assured the public that once the law is approved, the police will be tasked with enforcing it strictly.
“Mombasa cannot be ruled by fear or controlled by violence and intimidation. That is why I have taken steps to submit this proposal to the Cabinet. Once we finalize it, it will be forwarded to the County Assembly for approval,” said Governor Abdulswamad.
He added, “This law is meant to protect our people, take back our neighborhoods from criminals, and restore peace and safety in every part of Mombasa.”
The governor also warned that anyone found walking around with a machete in public within Mombasa County will be treated as a gang member. The law will treat such individuals the same way it treats people found carrying firearms without authorization.
In addition to cracking down on dangerous weapons, the governor announced a tough new stance on pharmacies that are illegally selling psychiatric drugs to the youth.
These drugs, which should only be available in hospitals with prescriptions, are being misused by young people involved in gangs to commit crimes.
Governor Abdulswamad stressed that any chemist found selling these restricted drugs will be treated just like a dealer of illegal substances. He noted that having a pharmacy license will depend on the chemist’s compliance with this rule.
“Our message is clear: if you’re found selling these drugs without proper authorization, it’s the same as trafficking illegal drugs,” he warned. “We are working hand in hand with the national government to carry out surprise inspections in pharmacies across the county.”
The Panga Boys gang has been a long-standing menace in Mombasa and neighboring Kwale County. The group has continuously harassed and attacked residents and businesses, causing fear and insecurity in the area, which heavily relies on tourism.
Law enforcement has been actively cracking down on the gang. So far, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested over 100 individuals believed to be connected to the gang.
Locals report that gang members often wear masks to hide their identities, although some operate without any disguise.
To add to the pressure on these gangs, on March 25, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno ordered police officers to arrest parents of underage suspects caught in the crackdown, highlighting the need for parental responsibility in ending youth involvement in crime.
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