Police Kill 14-Year-Old in Mombasa While Chasing Suspected ‘Panga Boys’

A 14-year-old pupil was shot dead by police during patrols in Utange, Mombasa, on New Year’s Day, prompting renewed scrutiny of police conduct and the use of lethal force against minors.

Dennis Ringa, a Grade Six student who had recently completed the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment, was killed during an operation by officers in the area. A postmortem report found that he was shot from behind. His family accused the police of killing him without justification, an allegation the authorities have not accepted.

The incident has divided opinion among residents. Human rights organisations and many Kenyans online criticised the shooting of a child, while some residents in high-crime areas defended the police, citing persistent attacks by violent youth gangs commonly known as the “Panga Boys”, who are accused of using machetes during robberies.

Police at the Coast face ongoing pressure to contain gang-related violence that has left communities traumatised and fearful. At the same time, officers are legally required to protect the rights of children, including those suspected of criminal activity. This balance has remained difficult to achieve.

A similar case occurred in January 2025, when another 14-year-old boy, Hamisi Ibrahim, was shot dead in Likoni. His mother, Fatuma Haji, said she heard a gunshot before finding his body outside his grandmother’s home. Police said officers had responded to a robbery and claimed that juveniles armed with pangas confronted them.

In recent months, police have reported several confrontations with suspected gang members in areas including Likoni and Kisauni. In Nyali, a civilian was injured by a stray bullet during a police pursuit. Authorities say firm action has reduced street muggings, but residents report a rise in break-ins at homes and shops.

Human rights groups have raised concerns about a pattern of police shootings. Hussein Khalid, chief executive of Vocal Africa, accused senior officers of tolerating unlawful killings and failing to ensure accountability, warning that such practices undermine public trust and worsen tensions in already vulnerable communities.

Police commanders reject these claims. Mombasa County Police Commander Peter Kimani said increased patrols and community policing had improved security. He said suspects were being arrested and charged, and that the risk of prosecution had discouraged criminal activity.

Nationally, the Ministry of Interior’s “Jukwaa la Usalama” report identifies Mombasa as one of several counties affected by youth gangs. The report notes that such groups often lack clear structures but can reorganise during election periods to intimidate communities and disrupt political activity. It adds that arrests, rehabilitation initiatives, and vocational training have weakened some gangs, though the threat persists.