Police Arrest 17 in Coastal Crime Crackdown

Kenyan authorities have taken 17 individuals into custody as part of an intensified security operation aimed at curbing criminal activities along the coastal belt.
The measures follow a surge in violent incidents including armed robberies, burglaries, drug trade, and aggressive land seizures by organized groups, with Kilifi county particularly affected.
Community members had expressed growing safety concerns, prompting law enforcement to implement these responsive actions.
During the operations, officials seized various items of interest: an AK47 rifle with ammunition, over 35kg of suspected illegal substances such as cannabis, heroin and cocaine.
Additionally, more than 40 mobile devices and SIM cards suspected of facilitating criminal communications were recovered, along with makeshift weapons like clubs and machetes. Government property, including police uniforms, were also secured as evidence for ongoing legal proceedings.
According to the National Police Service, these intelligence-driven operations feature increased patrols, improved monitoring systems, and targeted deployments in crime-prone areas.
Police officials have emphasized that these security measures will continue until criminal elements are effectively removed from coastal regions.