By Beckham Morara
Nakuru County, once a symbol of growth and opportunity in the Rift Valley, is now grappling with a surge in violent crime that has left residents living in fear and mourning the loss of loved ones. A wave of attacks—including gang-related stabbings, home invasions, and robberies—has intensified calls for urgent reforms to restore security in the city.
At the end of May, two young men were fatally stabbed in Kaptembwa, in what police believe was linked to gang rivalries. This followed another brutal attack just days earlier in Rhonda estate, where a woman was seriously injured after being stabbed during a robbery. These incidents reflect a broader pattern of escalating violence tied to entrenched criminal gangs operating within Nakuru’s low-income neighborhoods.
“You hear screams every night. We don’t sleep anymore,” said Mary Wanjiru, a mother of two from Rhonda estate, expressing the anxiety gripping many families.
Gangs such as Confirm, Eastlando, Mauki, and remnants of Mungiki have entrenched themselves in vulnerable communities, engaging in extortion, drug trafficking, and recruitment of minors. Despite over 300 arrests made since January, locals report that gang activities continue unabated, citing ineffective law enforcement and minimal court penalties.
Several police posts in areas like Mbogoini, Haji, and Subukia remain unmanned years after their construction, leaving residents exposed and forced to rely on themselves for protection. Police responses have been criticized as reactive rather than proactive, with many suspects quickly released due to insufficient evidence.
Exacerbating the crisis is widespread youth unemployment, which makes many young people vulnerable to gang recruitment. Though government youth empowerment funds exist, bureaucratic hurdles and allegations of favoritism prevent many from accessing these resources.
One of the most tragic cases this year involved a nursing student from Kabarak University found murdered along Nakuru-Mogotio Road, believed to have been targeted during a robbery. Similarly, the horrific Christmas Day killings in Gilgil—including the rape and murder of an elderly woman—triggered widespread outrage and protests.
Public trust in the police has eroded significantly. In January, angry Nakuru residents blocked officers from allegedly abducting a man, citing past incidents of harassment and disappearances by security forces.
The Ministry of Interior has responded with senior police reshuffles and multi-agency crackdowns, but experts warn that enforcement alone will not solve the crisis.
“We need sustained reforms—from community policing to meaningful youth empowerment programs,” said Dr. Mercy Chebet, sociologist at Egerton University. “Otherwise, we are merely treating the symptoms, not the root causes.”
As Nakuru stands at a critical juncture, the future depends on whether authorities can implement lasting reforms or risk deeper insecurity in one of Kenya’s key urban hubs.
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