Police in Kwale County have arrested several suspected members of a notorious criminal gang following a raid in Lunga Lunga Township, where weapons and drugs were also recovered.
The operation, which reportedly took place on August 1, 2025, was carried out by officers from Lunga Lunga Police Station after they received a credible tip-off from members of the public about the presence of a wanted murder suspect and his accomplices in the Ngeneni area.
According to police sources, one of the arrested individuals is believed to be a key member of the gang and is currently wanted on an active arrest warrant for murder.
Authorities say he has been on their radar for some time, with reports indicating his involvement in various violent crimes in the region.
"One of the individuals, believed to be a key gang member, is wanted on an active arrest warrant for murder and had reportedly been spotted in the company of his accomplices in the area," a statement by the National Police Service read.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, officers raided a single-room house within the township and found multiple individuals inside, reportedly armed with machetes and in the process of smoking cannabis sativa.
"A search of the house yielded about 257 grams of cannabis sativa, five machetes, and a black Tanzanian-registered motorcycle (registration number MC890). The motorcycle is suspected to have been used in several criminal activities across the border region," stated the statement.
The suspects were immediately taken into custody and are expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days.
Confirming the incident, the National Police Service commended the public for their cooperation and urged continued vigilance.
"We appreciate the members of the public who provided timely information. Your support played a critical role in making this operation a success,” a police statement read.
The arrests come amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle criminal networks operating in Kwale and other coastal counties, many of which are believed to be involved in robberies, assaults, and cross-border smuggling.
Police have urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activity and warned that operations targeting organised gangs will be intensified in the coming weeks.
The suspects remain in custody pending their arraignment.
