NAIROBI, Kenya – Five suspects have been arrested after detectives dismantled a suspected organised criminal syndicate believed to be behind a string of armed robberies and mobile phone snatching incidents across Nairobi and neighbouring counties.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on Wednesday evening in Kosovo area of Mathare, which police described as one of the gang’s hideouts.
During the operation, detectives recovered 65 assorted mobile phones, three laptops, a heat gun, two motorcycles and 50 pieces of motorcycle protective gear, all suspected to have been stolen.
Police said the suspects failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the ownership of the recovered items and were taken into custody pending further investigations.
Investigators also arrested the suspected leader of the gang in Machakos while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Mombasa by road.
According to police, detectives tracked him after his vehicle became caught in a traffic snarl caused by a fatal accident along the Mombasa Highway on Monday night that claimed six lives.
Authorities believe the criminal network is responsible for several robberies in Nairobi and has established links to other attacks outside the capital.
Among the cases under investigation is an armed robbery at a restaurant along General Mathenge Road in Westlands, where detectives say some of the stolen mobile phones recovered during Wednesday’s raid were taken.
Police have also linked the syndicate to another robbery that occurred in Watamu, Kilifi County, two weeks ago.
Investigators said forensic analysis of communication records, phone data and digital footprints before and after both incidents established close links between suspects operating in Nairobi and the Coast region.
According to detectives, the gang used similar tactics in both robberies, with armed suspects allegedly drawing concealed pistols simultaneously to surprise diners and shoppers before stealing mobile phones, jewellery and cash.
Police said CCTV footage from the crime scenes played a key role in identifying the suspects and helped forensic experts build profiles of those involved.
Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin said detectives had made significant progress in identifying additional members of the gang who remain on the run.
“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 also recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used during the Watamu robbery.
The hunt for other suspected gang members is ongoing, with investigators saying some have been traced to western Kenya.
Authorities added that several of the arrested suspects are repeat offenders with pending criminal cases before the courts.