Nine suspects have been arrested in connection to M-Pesa racketeering in parts of Eldoret town.
Eldoret West OCPD Samuel Mutunga said they were arrested on Wednesday in a raid at a house in Action Estate. They found
mobile phones and sim cards.
Police carried out the raid following a tip off by members of the public; they were informed that the suspects had been using the house as a hideout and the base of their operations.
Mutunga said the gang members go to the shops where they even change the PIN numbers used by customers and shop operators.
They use the numbers to transfer cash from the agents and members of the public.
“They have been targeting both M-Pesa shop owners and customers. We received many complaints and have been investigating,” he said.
“We are still investigating and looking for more suspects and the gang leader.
Some of the suspects escaped during the raid but we are after them."
M-Pesa operators in Eldoret and other parts have reported the loss of large amounts of cash in the last month.
Those arrested included youths who said they were part of a large gang with operations in many parts of the country.
Mutunga said they will be taken to court once investigations are completed.
Last month, a mob lynched suspected members of the gang in
Kapsabet town, Nandi county.