Criminal gangs have been on the high rise in the streets of Nairobi, mainly in the slums. The government has been trying out efforts to eliminate the gangs but do you know that the police end up killing innocent people? Do you remember the Dandora gun down drama that saw six innocent boys gunned down after being mistaken with a criminal gang that had robbed a boda boda operator plus his customer?
The main challenge here is that these criminal gangs are also armed with guns. The efforts to end criminal activities in Nairobi have now attracted the attention of the county government. Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has now urged criminal gangs to return illegal firearms within seven days to receive amnesty.
He said on Saturday individuals who heed the call will get jobs and protection.
Sonko spoke at Matopeni in Embakasi Central during a fundraiser for Harrison Karanja.
Karanja was shot by gangsters in Kayole. His hospital bill has accumulated to Sh6.8 million. Sonko helped raise Sh5.1 million.
At the same time, Sonko said the groundbreaking ceremony for 200,000 affordable housing units will be done next week.
Sonko said the launch will be done in Pangani.
Thereafter, the project will be rolled out in old and new Ngara, Jeevanjee-Bachelors, Ngong Road Inspectorate staff quarters, Uhuru and Suna Road.
Sonko said he will not relent in the war against corruption.
“No one will live in squalor under my administration and I will not allow corruption to thrive under my watch,” he said.
Isiolo governor Mohamed Kuti, Makadara MP George Aladwa, Isiolo South MP Abdi Koropu and several Nairobi MCAs attended the fund drive.
However, Sonko’s call to criminals may help reduce criminal activities if they could co-operate.
Do you think by being promised jobs and protection the criminal gangs will surrender fire arms to the county governments and cease being criminals?