Police arrest 16 year-old believed to be 42 brothers gang leader

Police have in custody, a 16 year old suspect believed to be the leader of the dreaded gang '42 brothers' that has been terrorizing residents of Kisumu.

Mathews Lwango Omboko was arrested on Friday evening by police officers at Nyalenda's Oboch area.

Also arrested were two others who Omboko mentioned to be his accomplices, but the police are yet to determine the same.

The county Police Commander Nelson Njiri said on Monday that Omboko was arrested after a tip off from the public who claim that the young man is the leader of the gang.

Njiri said they got the crucial information of the alleged gang leader from credible sources who informed them on his where about and where to nab him.

"Omboko who is currently in police custody is assisting us with investigation on the rest of the members and where some of the property they take from people are hidden," said Njiri.

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So far the suspect has led the police to some houses where the officers have recovered electronics such as computers, television sets, woofers and some mobile phones.

Njiri called on the members of the public to visit the station and identify some of the items they recovered whether they are their properties and to give more information on how they were robbed and the circumstances under which the incident took place.

The suspect is to be taken to court today (Tuesday) in which the police said they will ask for more time to allow them continue with their investigations before he is charged.

The dreaded gangs whose name hit the headlines three months ago and have been sending chills down the spines of Kisumu residents, has had their operations decline after police waged an all-out war on them.

The '42 brothers' way of operation has been characterized by rape, robbery, and slashing of their victims.

They are armed with machetes which they use in their operations.

They are also said to operate in groups of ten and above terrorising residents with impunity, operating with no fear as they leave the scene of attack with ease and on foot.

Police for the past few months have been gunning down suspects, but what can't be established is whether they are part of the dreaded gang.

Omboko's accomplices were arrested in a building which has remained un-occupied ever since it was destroyed during the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

Residents of Nyalenda area have called for either demolition of stalled buildings or the owners to put them to proper use, since criminals use them as a hiding place.

Stephen Mudenyo said many young boys from the estate were involving in crime and using the stalled buildings to hide whatever they have stolen.

"There is this building next to Western where criminals hide, the owner was even asked to renovate it and turn it into a hostel for university students, but he refused. He has also refused to sell it to any other person willing to improve it," said Mudenyo.