Teso South: Police in Teso South Sub County have arrested a group of 17 youths who have been terrorizing the residents in the area. Addressing the press in Teso South Sub County police station yesterday, the area police commander Francis Gachoki said that the arrested youth have been engaging in cases of rape, terrorizing and attacking residents leaving them with serious injuries.
According to Kenya News Agency, Gachoki stated that the arrested youth have been raping women and injuring the cane cutters. The group, operating under names such as 42 brothers, Kapedo warriors, vijana wepesi, and kemodo warriors, has been a source of fear for local residents.
Gachoki revealed that on November 12, eight youths were arrested and taken to court, which allowed the police to further investigate the incidents. The police later engaged with the public to raise awareness on the importance of collaboration and information sharing with security agencies. This initiative has led to the arrest of nine additional suspects.
In addition to the arrests, the police discovered 31 rolls of bhang, machetes, and pangas used to terrorize residents. Commander Gachoki has committed to dismantling all illegal youth groups in the area and is urging the community to share any information about the remaining group members, some of whom have fled to neighboring Uganda.
Gachoki emphasized the need for public cooperation to eradicate these groups, stating, “I want to appeal to the public to give us information because without it we cannot get rid of them. When we beef up security, they always run to Uganda but this time we have beefed up the security and we will make sure they have been arrested and are taken to jail. The parents have also decided that the law should take its course.”