Gang behind crime in Murang’a arrested in operation by special squad

Four people allegedly linked to 25 kidnappings, robberies and rape in Central Kenya have been arrested by a special squad that spent weeks trailing them.

The three men and a woman are accused of committing the offences in Laikipia, Muranga and Nyeri counties.

The woman also has a murder case pending before a Nanyuki court while her accomplices have robbery with violence cases pending in other courts.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kinoti said the gang is linked to robberies and a rape case.

Eight of the cases were reported in Mathira Sub-County.

So far, police have received reports of four victims from Makuyu, three from Kandara, and eight from Mathira. Sagana and Mathioya have four and three cases respectively.

Kinoti said investigations were conducted by a team of officers from the Special Services Unit and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau following several reports of violent robberies in the region.

“We appeal to the public, anyone who may have fallen victim of the gang to report to the nearest police station,” Kinoti added.

Director of Operations at the DCI headquarters Henry Ondiek said the female member of the gang was used to lure unsuspecting victims before her accomplices could strike.

“The woman was always armed with a toy pistol. She lures unsuspecting victims before her male accomplices strike,” he said.

The detectives recovered two vehicles, a spare number plate, a toy pistol used by the woman, ten mobile phones, a note book with codes of various banks and a cheque book from a Sacco.