Four suspects were arrested in Nairobi during a police operation that led to the recovery of three firearms loaded with a total of 41 bullets. The arrests come amid heightened efforts by law enforcement to curb a surge in violent robberies in Nairobi and parts of the western region.
The suspects, including three Ugandans and one Kenyan, were apprehended while allegedly planning a robbery in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighborhood. The recovered weapons consisted of an AK-47 rifle and two pistols, one of which was a Falcon pistol, while the other was identified as a Palleberum Feg pistol.
Police investigations revealed that the armed gang had been responsible for a string of robberies across Nairobi and the western region, causing widespread panic among residents. The gang, described as well-organized, executed their criminal activities with impunity, utilizing the pistols and the AK-47 assault rifle to threaten victims and escape with millions of shillings and other valuables.
Authorities have indicated that the firearms recovered will be subjected to forensic testing to determine whether they have been used in previous crimes. The serial number on the AK-47 rifle was found to be defaced, suggesting an attempt to obscure its origins.
The breakthrough came after a dedicated team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters followed leads connecting recent crimes in Nairobi and western Kenya to the suspects. The Nairobi regional police commander explained that through detailed analysis and profiling, the gang was identified and linked to several crime scenes.
The arrests occurred on May 22, with suspects taken into custody in different locations within Nairobi, including Saika, Dandora, Huruma, and Pumwani. Upon interrogation, one suspect led officers to his rented residence in Saika, where the Falcon pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition were found hidden under a pillow.
Another suspect directed police to his rented house in Dandora, where the AK-47 assault rifle, loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, was discovered concealed beneath a sofa. This rifle, believed to have been used in various robberies, had a tampered serial number. The third suspect, linked to ownership of the rifle, was arrested in Huruma.
Investigations showed that the three Ugandan suspects had entered Kenya via the Malaba border on May 21. Prior to their arrest, they had reportedly carried out a robbery in Eastleigh before fleeing back to Uganda. The fourth suspect, a Kenyan resident of Githurai 45, was arrested in Pumwani, where police seized the Palleberum Feg pistol from him.
Further inquiries suggest the four suspects, along with others still at large, are responsible for multiple armed robberies in Nairobi and the western region. Authorities have confirmed that the suspects were apprehended while plotting another robbery in Eastleigh, signaling ongoing criminal activity.
The police have emphasized that the operation is ongoing, with the aim of apprehending additional members of the gang who remain at large. The investigation continues to unravel the full extent of the group’s operations and their connections to violent robberies across the regions.
In a related development, a man voluntarily surrendered an AK-47 rifle with nine bullets in Garbatulla, Isiolo County. The weapon was handed over to a local chief in the Modogashe North sub-location within Komorbulla location. Authorities are currently analyzing the surrendered firearm to determine if it has been linked to any crimes in the area.
The police urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or information that could assist in the arrest of criminals involved in the recent surge of violent robberies. They also encourage those in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and reduce gun-related crime in the country.
