Coast regional police commander gives shoot order on machete-wielding gangs
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 7, 2026Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno has authorised officers to use firearms against machete-wielding gang members as police intensify operations against violent crime across the Coast region.
Speaking to the press on Saturday, February 7, 2026, Nuno said officers have the right to protect themselves and members of the public when facing immediate danger from armed suspects. His directive applies to hotspots in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties, where gangs have carried out a string of violent robberies using pangas and other crude weapons.
“All those men and ladies involved in crime for one reason or another, your days are numbered,” Nuno said. “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 later issued a blunt warning in Swahili, underlining the seriousness of the order.
“Nikikupata na panga ukiumiza mtu, nakupiga risasi, hatutacheka na mtu,” he said.
He added:
“These are lethal weapons capable of killing. Nimepeana amri ya kutosha, maafisa watumie silaha yao na hao vijana waangushwe.”
The remarks come amid rising concern over attacks linked to groups commonly referred to as the Panga Boys. The gangs have targeted shops, pedestrians and homes, often striking at night and using machetes to threaten or injure victims.
Police crackdown gains momentum
Recent arrests highlight the scale of the problem. In Mtwapa, Kilifi County, police arrested some men caught on CCTV attacking a shopkeeper with pangas before robbing the premises. Officers recovered stolen goods and several weapons during the operation.
Similar crackdowns took place in Mombasa, where police arrested suspected gang leaders believed to have coordinated a series of robberies in residential and business areas. Several are now in custody, with cases pending in court.
In Kwale County, police arrested four Panga Boys members following a violent robbery in Mbuwani Village on January 22, 2026. The attackers struck a man with pangas, stole his mobile phone and left him with deep cuts to his head and hand. Officers later recovered four pangas and six suspected stolen phones from the suspects’ hideout.
Security officials say the incidents reflect a wider challenge. Earlier surveys show that Mombasa County alone has at least 73 active gangs, including Wakali Kwanza, Team Sixty Nine and 40 Brothers. The Panga Boys have gained notoriety for using machetes to intimidate victims and carry out quick, brutal attacks.
National Police Service spokesperson Michael Nyaga said police have stepped up intelligence-led operations to dismantle organised criminal groups. He addressed public concerns over reports of unchecked gang activity, saying many cases were isolated but taken seriously.
Nuno insisted that police officers operate within the law. He said officers only use firearms when circumstances justify lethal force to protect life. He urged criminals to surrender or leave the region.