Residents of several villages in Kwale County live in constant fear due to a series of brutal nighttime killings and thefts attributed to a mysterious criminal gang.

• Residents now avoid traveling at night, with community activities ceasing before sunset.
• The assailants, reportedly armed with machetes, strike swiftly and vanish, leaving behind grieving families and unverified theories about their identities.
• Authorities, including Mangawani Assistant Chief Salim Nzala, acknowledge the incidents, citing three killings since December 2025, often linked to family disputes, while also stating that intensified patrols and a new police post have been established.
• Beyond killings, widespread theft of valuables from homes and churches has increased anxiety among residents.