Tough anti-crime tactics bear fruit in Kenya

July 27 2007 at 02:18AM

By Wangui Kanina

Nairobi - Kenya said on Thursday its hardline tactics against the murderous Mungiki criminal gang were working, saying violent crime rates in the capital Nairobi this month were at their lowest since independence in 1963.

Scores of people have been killed during a government crackdown on the Mungiki gang, and rights groups have accused the police of killing suspects instead of arresting them.

"The current threat of organised gangs has so far been effectively handled by our security forces," Kenya's Internal Security Minister John Michuki told a public forum.

"Up to yesterday, this month of July had the lowest figures of crime since independence," said Michuki, a tough-talking former colonial-era administrator who has vowed to wipe out Mungiki with force if they do not surrender.

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Police say violent crimes involving firearms dropped by 14 percent in July, to 190 incidents from 221 in June.

In a crackdown in a Nairobi slum over two days in June, policemen shot dead at least 33 Mungiki suspects in retaliation for the killing of two of their colleagues.

Police say 11 officers were killed by Mungiki in June alone.

"The country has experienced a significant decline in murder, carjacking and extortion, crimes that were committed by Mungiki who have been responsible for the bulk of serious crimes especially in Nairobi," Kenya's Police Commissioner Hussein Ali earlier told a news conference.

But many Kenyans believe crime is still dangerously high, with carjacking, murder, robbery and rape daily occurrences, particularly in the capital.

Mungiki, which means "multitude" in the Kikuyu language, has in the past left behind the severed heads of victims in public places to instill terror in Nairobi and central Kenya.

It draws its ranks mainly from the Kikuyu, Kenya's most populous tribe, and started off as a religious group urging members to return to traditional values such as performing female circumcision.

But police say it has metamorphosed into Kenya's biggest organised crime outfit, with rackets in protection, extortion and muscle-for-hire to politicians keen to stay in power.

Michuki said the cabinet had approved new legislation to help the government fight criminal gangs, which must now go to parliament for approval.

Under the proposed law, all officers dismissed from security forces will be monitored to ensure they do not engage in crime, while people convicted of felonies will be under constant surveillance.