Security: Kenya
Residents of Likoni, a district of Mombasa on Kenya’s coast, say a machete-armed gang, which they call the Panga Boys, attacked and robbed people, with more than six people injured. A report published on Saturday 14 November 2026 gave the account; no police statement was available to us, so we could not confirm the injury count or the dates of the attacks.
A motorcycle taxi rider said he was ambushed overnight while carrying passengers and robbed of his phone and cash. He was reported to have been discharged from hospital after treatment for serious injuries.
Key Facts
—Reported. More than six people reportedly injured in machete attacks in Likoni, Mombasa; not independently confirmed.
—Gang. Residents say the Panga Boys, a name used in Kenyan reports for machete-armed coastal gangs, were behind the attacks.
—Police. Mombasa police reportedly opened investigations; no arrests have been reported.
—Term. Panga is the Swahili word for machete.
The account comes from victims and relatives; police have not published their own figures in anything we could find.
What Is Reported
Police have reportedly opened investigations, and Mombasa police are said to be pursuing gang members and to have asked anyone with information to come forward. Relatives of victims accused police of failing to deal with gangs in Likoni and Mombasa.
Background
On Saturday 7 February 2026, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno said officers would use firearms against machete-wielding gangs where justified: “Where we are justified to use our firearms, we will not hesitate.” He named gangs in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties.
Likoni is part of Mombasa, which is described in our Mombasa explainer and our guide to what to do in Mombasa in November. Separately, Kenya plans a ship repair dock at Mombasa port.
What Is Not Known
Police have not published an injury figure or named suspects in anything we could find, and no arrests have been reported. We have not confirmed the dates of the attacks or whether one group was behind all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Panga Boys?
Panga Boys is a name used in Kenyan reports for machete-armed gangs on the coast, where panga means machete. In February 2026 the Coast police commander spoke of gangs targeting residents and businesses in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties.
Have there been arrests over the Likoni attacks?
None has been reported in anything we could confirm. Police were reportedly pursuing gang members.
Sources: Report of 14 November 2026 on the Likoni attacks (not independently confirmed); Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno’s remarks on the Panga Boys, 7 February 2026.
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