Nairobi, April 22 -- Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has clashed with security agencies over a sweeping crackdown on criminal gangs in Kitale, alleging political misuse of police powers even as authorities defend the operation as lawful and necessary.

The operation, now in its second week, was ordered by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who directed the Inspector General to deploy a special police unit to tackle escalating insecurity in the county.

The crackdown comes amid growing concern over the rise of teenage gangs in Kitale, with some political leaders accused of fuelling the problem by hiring armed youths to provide protection during political activities, an issue widely seen as contributing to the proliferatio...