NAIROBI, Kenya – A suspect accused of posing as a traffic police officer to rob people shortly after they withdraw cash from banks has been arrested in Embakasi, Nairobi, following weeks of intelligence gathering and forensic investigations.
Muia Mutune, also known as Fredrick Mbuta, was tracked down by detectives from the Operation Action Team and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, according to the information released about the operation.
The arrest comes months after Mutune was reportedly apprehended in April 2026 in connection with similar robberies before being released on bond in July.
Detectives are now pursuing his alleged accomplices, who remain at large, as investigations into the robbery network continue.
Suspect Previously Arrested Over Similar Robberies
Mutune’s latest arrest follows an earlier operation in April in which detectives arrested three suspects linked to robberies targeting motorists carrying large sums of money.
In a statement reported on April 27, 2026, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau and the Operation Action Team had arrested three men suspected of involvement in a series of robberies in Nairobi and surrounding areas.
The suspects allegedly disguised themselves as police officers, using uniforms and reflector jackets to stop motorists and gain access to their vehicles and cash.
The earlier investigation involved several incidents in which victims were reportedly robbed of millions of shillings after withdrawing money from banks.
According to the latest information, Mutune was released on bond in July but remained on detectives’ radar as investigators pursued additional leads.
Intelligence subsequently placed him in Embakasi Village, where officers arrested him.
How the Alleged Bank Robberies Were Carried Out
The suspects are accused of exploiting the public’s trust in uniformed officers to intercept people travelling with cash.
By allegedly posing as traffic police officers, the group could flag down unsuspecting motorists and demand driving licences or claim that the victims had committed traffic offences.
In one incident documented in April, a Chinese national reported being stopped along the old Mombasa Road by men wearing what appeared to be traffic police uniforms. The attackers allegedly took her vehicle and escaped with Sh2.14 million she had withdrawn from two banks.
In another reported case, a businessman who had withdrawn Sh4.2 million from Equity Bank’s Utawala branch was allegedly intercepted near Gateway Mall by men wearing police uniforms and reflector jackets. The attackers reportedly handcuffed him, forced him into their vehicle and stole the cash.
A third incident involved a woman entrusted with Sh1.4 million who was allegedly intercepted near Cabanas Interchange while travelling towards Sayan Business Park. The attackers reportedly took the money and mobile phones before abandoning the victims elsewhere.
Detectives Hunt Suspected Accomplices
Mutune is being held as detectives process him ahead of his expected arraignment, according to the latest information provided.
Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and arrest the other people suspected of participating in the robberies.
The latest arrest also highlights the continuing challenge of tracking suspects across multiple investigations and establishing links between separate incidents.
