One of the vehicles recovered from suspects in Machakos County on August 20, 2025.
Detectives have arrested six suspects alleged to be behind a string of violent robberies in Kajiado County and neighbouring areas.
The suspects were rounded up in a multi-agency operation led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
According to investigators, the group had been terrorising residents and targeting missionary camps in Kajiado town and its environs.
The most recent incident was reported on August 8, 2025, when armed men stormed the Korean Mission Camp (MCK) in the Elerai area of Mashuuru Sub-County. Dressed in police jungle fatigues and armed with crude weapons, the attackers fatally injured a night guard before fleeing the scene.
DCI officers say the gang has also been linked to similar robberies in Kimana and Mashuuru in Kajiado County, as well as Wote town in Makueni County.
Following the August attack, detectives mounted an intensive manhunt that led to the arrest of two suspects on Tuesday. One was captured in Kitengela, while the other was cornered near Machakos Junction.
During interrogation, one of the men led officers to his home in Kitulu village, Machakos County. There, police recovered jungle fatigues believed to have been used during the attacks, along with Sh49,000 in cash.
Preliminary investigations revealed that both suspects had previously served jail terms and were released from Machakos Prison in December 2024.
The operation later extended to Kantafu in Matungulu Sub-County, where four more suspects were arrested on Wednesday. Detectives also impounded three vehicles said to have been used in the robberies.
The six suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, with detectives preparing to arraign them in court.
Police hailed the operation as a major breakthrough in efforts to curb a surge of violent robberies in parts of Kajiado and Machakos.
Residents of Kitengela, who have borne the brunt of the attacks, welcomed the arrests. One resident, who requested anonymity, told The Star: “I have received information of the suspects’ arrests with lots of joy since some of us no longer sleep at night due to increased cases of robbery with violence in the area.”
The community urged authorities to remain vigilant, saying criminal gangs had caused fear and sleepless nights for many.
