Photo: Capital FM

This photo shows graffiti written by MRC adherents in Mombasa. The group’s clarion call is ‘Pwani si Kenya’ meaning Coast is not Kenya (file photo).

A SPECIAL security team has been dispatched to a forest in Kwale to flush out dreaded members of the Mombasa Republican Council.

Kwale county commissioner Evans Achoki said the team comprises GSU, Administration police, regular police and KWS rangers. Speaking in Kwale yesterday, Achoki said about 60 suspected members of the proscribed group are hiding in a forest in Tiribe location.

The armed youths are linked to the recent killings of four people in Mwalubhamba area. According to police reports, the group which is armed with machetes and other crude weapons has been taking oaths in the forest and attacking residents.

The group has been terrorizing residents of Kirewe, Burani, Murewe and Miamba villages causing tension in the area. Residents of the affected areas have relocated to Kwale town.

Achoki however assured the residents that the group will be apprehended and charged in court. "We shall not rest until there is peace in that area. I want to warn that we shall not entertain anyone breaching peace," said Achoki.

The operation is being led by Kwale police boss Richard Muguai who is acting on intelligence reports collected in the area. This comes as police were accused of laxity by human rights groups. Human Rights Agenda (Huria) also accused police of failing to prevent the killings in Kwale. Huria executive director Yussuf Lule called on the government to construct more police stations in the region to improve security.

"The people of Mwalubhamba want more and well equipped police officers to curb insecurity. We cannot afford to have police patrols that pass and leave people dying behind. We want to see permanent police stations," he said.

Achoki, who visited the area on Monday, said the government will put a permanent solution to the problem. He said criminal gangs in the area will be 'smashed'. The government has intensified the crack down on the group which had threatened to interrupt elections. Eighteen people including 10 police officers were killed by suspected MRC members in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale on March 3rd.