Religious leaders are calling for urgent and coordinated action among police, political leaders, and parents to curb the resurgence of violent juvenile gangs in Likoni Sub-County.
The appeals by the religious leaders were made during the marking of Good Friday in the Mtongwe area of Likoni Sub-County. They came on the heels of a damning preliminary report released by the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) that shows Mombasa is leading the country with 73 criminal gangs.
The Sub-County has been singled out for having notorious juvenile gangs known as Panga Boys, Gaza, and Squad Chafu, which are terrorising locals and visitors alike.
Fr.Henry Ndune of the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Mtongwe decries the involvement of boys as young as 13 years old in criminal activities.
He urges parents to monitor their children’s behaviour and to avoid allowing indecorous conduct under their watch. “We must instil good morals in them,” Fr. Ndune stated.
Fr. Ndune highlighted the church’s proactive efforts through a school-based initiative, Making Life Responsible Choices (MLRC), currently being implemented in three schools across Likoni.
The programme aims to steer youth away from crime and drug abuse by fostering informed, ethical decision-making.
“I would like to encourage parents to familiarise themselves with the programme modules.First, children must know their gender, and they are supposed to be responsible citizens.”
Police officers were commended for heightening security in the Sub-County and for apprehending criminals.
Fr. Ndune further calls for collaboration between the police, religious leaders, political leaders, and parents to address the re-emergence of juvenile gangs that may snowball into a full-blown crisis if not tackled.
Politicians were urged not to use the youth to disrupt and cause chaos at their rivals’ meetings for political expediency.
“I condemn in the strongest terms possible the use of youth to cause chaos. A leader should direct the people in the right way, but when a politician incites the youth to cause chaos for self-interest, we condemn that. We should let the youth grow responsibly. When they are arrested, the politicians run away, leaving parents in agony.”
Fr. Mwatigina Mghanga says that when parents are raised with good morals, their children usually do not engage in vice. He lauded the government for launching the National Positive Parenting programme, which will equip parents with good parenting teachings.
