Panga-Wielding Gang Robs Ukunda-Diani Residents on CCTV leaving local with no peace. A chilling CCTV video surfaced showing a panga-wielding gang robbing residents in Ukunda-Diani’s Magutu area, intensifying fears over escalating insecurity in Kwale County’s tourist hub. The footage, shared widely on X and reported by Citizen TV, captures the machete-wielding gang attacking homes and businesses in broad daylight, stealing valuables and leaving residents traumatized.
The incident, part of a wave of violent attacks by the notorious “Panga Boys,” has prompted urgent police action and heightened community demands for enhanced security measures in the coastal region.
The CCTV footage, shows the gang, armed with pangas and blunt weapons, storming a residential compound in Magutu, a bustling neighborhood near Diani Beach.
Residents reported losses of electronics, cash, and personal items, with one shopkeeper losing over KSh 500,000, per Kenyans.co.ke. The gang, believed to include youths from Diani, Tiwi, and Ng’ombeni, operated with brazen confidence, some masking their faces while others did not.
This latest attack follows a pattern of violence, with a similar incident in March 2025 injuring journalist Brivian Simiyu, who was slashed in the ear. The gang’s actions, initially tied to protests over a local’s murder, have evolved into rampant criminality.
Msambweni Sub-County Police Commander Ahmed Hillow confirmed the incident, linking it to ongoing gang activity following the burial of a 29-year-old stabbed in July.
A multi-agency operation, involving the General Service Unit and National Intelligence Service, has arrested 120 suspects since March, with 63 arraigned and 33 detained for further investigation.
Recovered items include seven machetes and 18 rolls of bhang, but residents like Fatuma Ali from Diani lament the lack of consistent police presence. Social media reactions on X, including posts from urge the DCI to act swiftly as fear grips the community.
The panga-wielding gang’s attacks have crippled local businesses, with many shutting early to avoid raids. A businesswoman, identified as Mama Jay, recounted how the gang held her employees at knifepoint, stealing goods worth KSh 500,000.
— The Nairobi Times (@TheNairobiTimez) August 12, 2025
The violence has also disrupted tourism, a key economic driver in Diani, with hotels and beach operators reporting cancellations. Kwale County police commander Reginald Omaria has vowed intensified patrols, but allegations of bribery against Ukunda’s OCS, raised in a February 2025, have eroded public trust.
Residents demand accountability, fearing a return to the gang-driven chaos of early 2024. Community leaders and activists are pressing for long-term solutions, including youth empowerment programs to curb gang recruitment.
Coast police boss Ali Nuno, addressing a March meeting, blamed poor parenting and promised community engagement alongside enforcement. However, locals argue that systemic issues, like unemployment and lax policing, fuel the Panga Boys’ resurgence.
The CCTV footage, described as “disturbing”, has galvanized calls for government intervention, with searches for “Ukunda-Diani gang attacks” and “Panga Boys CCTV footage” spiking online.
As the panga-wielding gang continues to terrorize Ukunda-Diani, the Magutu area remains on edge. Police efforts to dismantle the Panga Boys are ongoing, but the community seeks lasting solutions to restore safety.
The viral CCTV video has amplified demands for accountability, with residents urging authorities to address underlying socio-economic issues driving the violence.
The panga-wielding gang robbing residents in Magutu underscores the urgent need for robust security measures. With 120 arrests made, the DCI’s crackdown shows progress, but locals fear further attacks without systemic change.
The CCTV footage serves as a stark reminder of Diani’s deteriorating safety. The panga-wielding gang robbing residents in Ukunda-Diani’s Magutu area, captured on CCTV, has heightened fears in Kwale County.
The Panga Boys’ brazen attacks, costing businesses millions and injuring locals, demand immediate action. As searches for “panga-wielding gang Ukunda-Diani” rise, the community awaits stronger interventions to reclaim Diani’s status as a safe tourist paradise.
