By Alloys Musyoka
Kwale business community have lauded Coast region police commander Ali Nuno for taking action against increased juvenile gangs in the area.
The traders rallied behind Nunos’ shoot to kill order saying it will bring to end the continued harassment and disturbance of business in the area.
Speaking in Diani led by Willis Ondeche the traders said that police should indeed use force to eliminate the criminal elements that have remained a thorn in the flesh for many businesses in the coastal regregion
Ondeche said that many traders have had to close business early for fear of being attacked and robbed and further losing lives.
“We have seen many people losing lives to juvenile gangs and therefore we are very happy that the security apparatus is waking up to defend our businesses. It is not good for gangs to cause deaths by attacking people and then they are left free NO,” he said.
According to them the move will strengthen security which has deteriorated in the Coastal region with traders living in fear.
“Traders and residents are attacked everyday by machete wielding gangs. That must come to an end if business is to thrive,” he added.
Richard Onsongo, a businessman in Diani said that security should be strengthened even more as people prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.
“We are getting to Ramadhan period and when there is insecurity our brothers and sisters will not go on with their prayers. We are in support of Nunos’ plan to end insecurity,” he said.
Onsongo added that parents who have their children join criminal gangs should take charge and get hold of them since the government will not spare anyone.
Kwale Bodaboda Association chair Mahmoud Rajaba said that the transport fraternity is full behind police crackdown on criminal gangs that have also disrupted businesses in the area.
He said that an insecure environment is bad for the transport sector that is dependent on ferry traders from one point to another day and night.
“We are looking forward to a secure environment where everyone can do business free from night and day attacks,” he added.
Abdulrahman Mohamed, also a trader, took issue with human rights defenders who have come out gun blazing against Nunos’ directive saying they are silent when locals and traders are killed by gangs.
“We have not seen them coming out to defend our people when they are killed but when an order to shoot to kill criminal gangs is issued they are heard making noise. It is not that there is anyone who wants youth killed but it has reached a point where order has to be brought back,” he said.
Francisca Mwololo, also a trader, called on the county government of Kwale to ensure lights along the road are put in place in a bid to secure the area.
She said that the criminal also takes advantage of darkness to terrorize residents.
