CS Duale Warns Parents as Knife-Wielding Gang Cases Rise in Garissa

29 December 2025 - Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Sunday gave a stern warning to knife-wielding gangs in Garissa who have been on rampage in the recent past calling for responsible parenting.

Duale, who was speaking during the commissioning of new Tuition block at Hafsa Binti Sirin, took a swipe at parents whom he said are supposed to inculcate their children with good Islamic values noting that these are sole responsibilities of parents.

Duale urged security agencies to arrest parents who follow up on the arrest of their teenagers accused of committing crimes and making Garissa town inhabitable.

“If you arrest and any parents who come also arrest that parent, if your child is disturbing the community, stabbing people, robbing innocent mothers then you are trying to free him then both of you need to be behind bars,” said the CS.

In recent weeks, there has been an increase of robbery with violence involving teenage gangs on motorcycles wielding sharp knives targeting victims in isolated areas, they rob their victims and at worst stab them to death.

Last months, Garissa Teachers College tutor Hilary Ochieng was stabbed to death by the marauding gangs after they allegedly robbed him of his valuables.

The health CS raised concern over the rising insecurity, urged the County Security teams to take firm action against drug and substance abuse, while cautioning against retrogressive Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms that undermine justice.

The security apparatus have raised concern of collective efforts by clans and communities in Garissa to defeat justice for cooperatively joining in negotiating and even bailing out suspects, this they said give the criminals leeway to continue with their crimes.