MOMBASA, Kenya — Coast regional police commander Ali Nuno has authorised officers to use firearms against the notorious “Panga Boys” gang, amid a surge in violent robberies that has left residents and business owners across the region living in fear.
Speaking to journalists, Nuno issued a stern warning to criminal gangs operating along the Coast, saying police would no longer tolerate attacks on civilians and property.
“All those men and ladies involved in crime for one reason or another, your days are numbered. Crime doesn’t pay. You have two options: desist and accept salvation or move out of the entire Coast region. Where we are justified to use our firearms, we will not hesitate,” Nuno pointed out.
The police commander said decisive action was necessary to confront organised gangs that have been terrorising residents in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties, often using pangas and other crude weapons to carry out robberies in broad daylight.
“Nikikupata na panga ukiumiza mtu, nakupiga risasi, hatutacheka na mtu. These are lethal weapons capable of killing. Nimepeana amri ya kutosha, maafisa watumie silaha yao na hao vijana waangushwe,” he added.
Rising fear along the Coast
The warning comes amid growing public anxiety over a wave of violent robberies linked to the gang. In recent weeks, CCTV footage circulating online has shown armed attackers storming shops and homes in areas such as Mtwapa and Bondo, leaving several victims injured and traumatised.
Residents say the attackers often strike at night or during early morning hours, targeting small businesses, pedestrians and residential homes before fleeing on motorcycles.
Recent arrests and police operations
Police say operations against the gang have already intensified. In Kwale County, officers recently arrested four suspected members of the Panga Boys following a violent robbery in Mbuwani Village on January 22, 2026.
According to police reports, the suspects allegedly attacked a man with pangas, stealing his mobile phone and leaving him with deep cuts to his head and hand.
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Officers recovered four pangas and six mobile phones believed to have been stolen during previous attacks.
Following the incident, the National Police Service (NPS) said it had stepped up intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling organised criminal networks operating along the Coast.
Balancing force and accountability
While police leadership insists the use of firearms will be guided strictly by law, security analysts note that the directive underscores growing pressure on law enforcement to restore public confidence amid rising insecurity.
Kenyan law permits police officers to use lethal force only when there is an imminent threat to life, a principle the NPS says remains central to its operations.
Authorities have urged members of the public to cooperate with police by sharing information that could help identify and arrest gang members, as security agencies continue efforts to stabilise the region.
