Police arrest four in machete attack linked to ‘Panga Boys’ menace in Diani

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Police in Diani, Msambweni Sub‑County, Kwale County, swooped on a hideout on Friday, arresting four men suspected to be members of the notorious “Panga Boys” gang.

Officers recovered four pangas and six mobile phones believed to have been stolen during prior violent attacks.

The operation began at dawn, as officers surrounded a cluster of huts in Mbuwani Village, leaving the suspects with no escape.

The arrests follow a 22 January 2026 attack, when the same suspects allegedly ambushed a resident in Mbuwani.

Armed with pangas, they slashed his head and hand, snatched his phone, and vanished into the night.

The victim survived but sustained serious injuries.

“Our officers traced the suspects to their hideout after the January attack. They are now in custody and will be arraigned soon,” said Msambweni Sub‑County Police Commander Robinson Langat.

The Panga Boys have long terrorised Diani, Msambweni, and surrounding villages.

In 2025, police launched coordinated crackdowns that led to the arrest of over 120 suspected gang members, with dozens detained for violent crime and robbery with violence.

Security patrols in Diani have since been intensified, covering residential areas, business districts, and tourist hotspots to restore public confidence.

“We are committed to maintaining security and ensuring that residents and visitors feel safe,” Langat added.

“Operations will continue until the community is secure.”

Beyond police action, local leaders, elders, and youth advocates have intensified efforts to pull young men away from gang life.

Community forums in Diani and Msambweni have brought together parents, chiefs, clergy, county officials, and youth groups to discuss education, skills training, sports programmes, and mentorship for vulnerable youths.

Among those leading the initiatives is Professor Hamadi Boga, a former Kwale gubernatorial aspirant.

“Security measures are necessary, but we must also provide opportunities for young people,” Prof Boga said.

“We are working with county leaders, faith groups, and youth mentors to expand skills training, mentorship, and livelihood programmes so that at-risk youths see alternatives to violence.”

Prof Boga has been involved in meetings with the county’s education and youth departments, advocating for strengthened school retention programmes, apprenticeships, and community-based support networks.

While the latest arrests bring a moment of relief, residents warn that pockets of insecurity persist.

Business owners in Diani note that even isolated incidents of violence can affect commerce and daily life.

Police and community leaders say the fight against the Panga Boys is ongoing, combining enforcement, prevention, and rehabilitation.

“We want every resident and visitor to feel safe. These arrests are a step forward, but the work is far from over,” Langat said.