Coast regional police commander Ali Nuno has issued a shoot-to-stop directive against the notorious Panga Boys gang blamed for a wave of violent robberies targeting residents and businesses along the Coast.
Speaking to the press on Saturday, Nuno said those involved in crime have only two choices: abandon their activities or leave the entire Coast region.
"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,” Nuno said.
He noted that decisive action needed to be taken against the criminals who have been attacking and looting unsuspecting Kenyans across Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale counties.
"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.
Translation: If we catch you using a machete to terrorise other people, we’ll shoot you; we won’t joke. These are weapons capable of killing. I’ve given an order to police officers to use their weapons against that gang.
In the latest crackdown targeting the notorious Panga Boys in the region, police in Kwale County arrested four suspected members of the gang following a spate of violent robberies that left several people injured.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), the suspects were tracked down and apprehended at a hideout in Mbuwani Village after a robbery with violence incident reported on the night of January 22, 2026.
The victim was reportedly attacked by four men armed with pangas, who stole his mobile phone and inflicted deep cuts to his head and hand before fleeing.
Officers recovered four pangas believed to have been used in the assault, along with six mobile phones suspected to be stolen.
The four suspects are being held at Diani Police Station as investigations continue ahead of their court appearance.
