Thirty-three men suspected of being members of a notorious criminal gang have been detained for 14 days following a successful application by the prosecution at the Kwale Law Courts. The suspects are accused of terrorizing residents of Diani through acts of violence.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that Chief Inspector Kennedy Mutunga filed an affidavit on March 25, 2025, requesting the suspects be held longer to allow for thorough investigations. In response, Resident Magistrate Joy Mtimba granted the request and ordered that the suspects remain in custody at various police stations in Kwale, Diani, and Msambweni.
The ODPP explained that the extended detention period would give law enforcement agencies enough time to collect evidence and establish whether the suspects are linked to other criminal activities. The suspects are accused of instilling fear among Diani locals, and authorities are working to address the public safety concerns raised by the case.
The court has scheduled the case for mention on April 8, 2025, when further updates on the investigation are expected.
Meanwhile, the public is being urged to cooperate with law enforcement by providing any relevant information that could assist the ongoing probe.
In other related news, five traffic police officers were recently arrested in Mumias for allegedly extorting motorists, and the Power of Mercy committee has been advised to uphold fairness in vetting convicts seeking pardons.
This latest crackdown reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to combating crime and upholding the rule of law across the country.
