Caught on camera: Panga attack on Mombasa watchman sparks manhunt
A viral video of a panga attack on a watchman has ended with the arrest of a suspected violent robber, following a determined manhunt by detectives in Mombasa.
The chilling footage showed a man armed with a panga and an accomplice launching a brutal assault on an unsuspecting watchman before stealing his mobile phone.
The video spread rapidly across social media, prompting urgent action by law enforcement.
Detectives from the Mombasa DCI Regional Headquarters, supported by officers from DCI Urban and Tononoka Police Station, trailed the suspect and arrested him hiding in a guest house in Bondeni “A.”
At the time of arrest, officers recovered a blood‑stained panga, two knives, six mobile phones, and a greyish kanzu matching the clothing seen in the video.
The suspect is now in custody undergoing processing ahead of arraignment. Detectives are still searching for his accomplice.
The attack highlights a wider pattern of armed youth violence along the Coast. Groups often labelled “Panga Boys”--referring to machete‑wielding youth gangs--have been a major security concern in Mombasa and neighbouring Kwale counties for years.
These gangs are typically composed of young men who use crude weapons such as pangas and daggers to launch robberies, muggings and violent assaults on residents, business premises and pedestrians.
In Mombasa, police have previously arrested suspected Panga Boys members during targeted operations. In early 2025, detectives apprehended three men believed to belong to the notorious gang known for terrorising local communities in areas like Kiembeni and Kadzandani.
In Kwale, similar violence from machete‑wielding gangs has plagued parts of Diani, Msambweni and Matuga, with county security officials assuring boosted patrols and a “zero tolerance” stance against criminal attacks.
Police and county leaders have repeatedly called for community cooperation and increased enforcement to address the menace, even as reports show some youths are surrendering and abandoning gang life.
Pattern of violence and law enforcement response
Residents and business owners in coastal towns have described a climate of fear due to the unpredictable nature of attacks.
In Diani, daily incidents involving machete‑armed youth have been reported, prompting calls for specialised task forces to restore order.
Despite frequent crackdowns and arrests, security bosses acknowledge that sustained efforts are needed to dismantle these loosely organised criminal networks and prevent recidivism.
