Alarm Over Rise Of Juvenile Delinquency In Mombasa

Mombasa leaders have intensified calls for parents to seriously take responsibility for their children’s behaviours in the wake of a resurgence of juvenile crimes in Kisauni Sub-County.

County Commissioner (CC) Mohamed Nur said a security agencies had mobilized a mop up in Kisauni Sub-County to weed out the youthful criminals who have been terrorizing residents with impunity

“Yesterday alone, we arrested 23 people some are young people between 16 and 17 years engaging in crime. We will extend the operation to Likoni and Jomvu sub-counties to weed out criminals,” said Nur.

He decried that it was appalling to see people losing their phones or going to the mosque being attacked. “We won’t allow that trend to go in Mombasa,” he said.

Parents were urged to know their children’s whereabouts during school holidays and not to allow them to loiter around.

The County Commissioner (CC) Mohamed Nur was speaking after Eid-ul-Fitr Prayers at the Ronald Ngala grounds, he stated that in conjunction with the County Government, they will close down mugukaa chewing dens which are breeding grounds for criminals and children to stay there overnight.

“We want children at dusk to be at home, in the dens they acquire indecorous behaviour. We have finished Ramadhan we will close all the dens,” stated CC Nur.

In the renewed fight against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the CC revealed that they have so far closed 167 bars, got heroin 160 sachets, and 30,000 litres of bootleg liquor was destroyed.

“We have also closed 21 chemists selling drugs to children. A chemist was found selling over the counter a sleeping pill to a seven-year-old child,” said the County Commissioner.

Muslim faithful during the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy month of Ramadhan at Ronald Ngala grounds, Mombasa. Photo/KBC

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir echoed the County Commissioner’s sentiments saying there is no justification for anyone to engage in crimes and a child between 17 years and 20 years is supposed to be in school and shouldn’t use the lack of jobs as an excuse.

“Parents and community must take responsibility. Parents should also be interrogated about their children’s behaviour. Data shows that whenever schools are on crime rates are usually low but when they are closed crime surges. It is not right,” said Governor Nassir.

He warned children engaging in crimes that when they are apprehended their crime cases are being recorded and no employer will employ them.

Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein congratulated the Muslim faithful for cooperating with the security to ensure there was peace in Ramadhan epoch.

The Chief Kadhi urged Muslims to assist the less fortunate families. He lauded the government for its efforts to heighten security during the fasting month that enabled Muslims to perform night prayers and businesses to thrive.