Five suspects have been arrested following a police operation targeting a suspected criminal syndicate linked to a series of robberies and mobile phone snatching incidents across Nairobi and its surrounding areas.
The operation, conducted on Wednesday evening, was based on intelligence gathered on the activities of the suspected gang.
Police carried out the raid in Mathare's Kosovo area, which they described as a hideout for suspected criminals.
Police said a suspected gang leader was arrested in Machakos as he attempted to flee to Mombasa in a car.
According to police, he was traced while caught in a traffic jam caused by an accident on the Mombasa Highway on Monday night in which six people died.
During the raid, police recovered 65 assorted mobile phones, three laptops, a heat gun, two motorcycles and 50 pieces of assorted motorcycle protective gear, all believed to have been stolen.
Police said the suspects failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the ownership and possession of the recovered items during interrogation.
The five suspects were placed in lawful police custody pending further investigations to establish the source and rightful owners of the recovered property.
Police also said some of the arrested suspects are repeat offenders with pending cases in court.
According to police, the raid is linked to an armed robbery at a restaurant along General Mathenge Road in Westlands, where some of the stolen mobile phones were recovered during the operation.
Police further linked the suspected gang to another robbery in Watamu, Kilifi County, two weeks ago.
Police said a forensic analysis of communication trails, phone records and digital footprints before and after the attacks indicated that suspects in both regions are closely linked and are believed to belong to the same organised criminal syndicate.
According to investigators, the suspects used similar tactics in both incidents, allegedly drawing concealed pistols simultaneously to catch diners and shoppers off guard.
Police believe the syndicate targets high-value personal electronics, jewellery and cash.
Investigators said CCTV footage from both incidents provided clear images that enabled forensic teams to build profiles of the suspects.
DCI director Mohamed Amin said investigators had made progress in identifying the suspects.
"Our team has managed to profile and get the identities of the suspects who are on the run, but we will soon catch up with them," Amin said.
Police said they also recovered the motorcycle believed to have been used by the suspects during the Watamu robbery.
The search for the gunmen who also attacked a restaurant is ongoing. Police said the suspects remain at large and have been traced to western Kenya.
Investigators said they have identified the suspects and are pursuing them.
