Residents of Mosocho in Kitutu Chache South Constituency, Kisii County in Kenya have been living in constant fear, as a machete-wielding criminal gang operating under the name “24 brothers” has left them traumatised.
Residents have revealed that the gang members have been attacking with impunity, mostly between 12 midnight to 3:00am, when most people in the area have gone to sleep.
They also claimed the criminals were well known by the local security agencies, yet they continued to terrorise with confidence, even cooking and eating in people’s homes during operations.
“Youths have come together for ill motives and are calling themselves a certain name there, you have heard it, 24 brothers. The administration is aware of them, not that they do not know. They have their report and have even tried to arrest some and release them later,” a resident of the county, Mr Thomas Momanyi said.
“They have been targeting those who travelled upcountry with their vehicles. Some are breaking into houses and are spending considerable time there, even cooking and eating,” said another resident.
Locals also said the brutal robbers who are aged between 18 and 25, often move about with machetes invading farms, breaking into homes, business premises, and targeting vehicles.
“They invade farms and indiscriminately harvest bananas and maize,” another resident who fell victim of the gang said.
The rise of the “24 Brothers” criminal gang has raised concerns over the security of residents and their properties.
Locals have urged the county’s security to take proactive measures towards tackling the menace before it escalates beyond control.
“They keep attacking us. They attacked on December 10 at night. They mysteriously opened our vehicle and stole several items that were inside. We reported to the Nyumba Kumi elders, but they asked us to notify the police,” said Mr David Nyakundi, a victim of the gang, who revealed that he had been robbed twice within a month.
Mosocho police boss Mr. Kazungu Charo has urged residents to protect their properties against the marauding midnight thieves, while assuring them that security has been deployed to dig into the situation with a view to finding solutions.
“If you feel you are not comfortable, you can even bring the vehicle to the police station,” he told locals.
Mr. Charo stressed that anyone caught to be participating in the act will be dealt with thoroughly.
“Whoever will be caught, whether you are a 26 brothers or 80 brothers, that is none of my business. I am very much concerned with the security of all Kenyans. Whoever who will fall on the opposite direction, on the opposite side of it, be prepared to face the full force of the law,” he said.
