Police in Kisumu East Sub-County have arrested a man believed to be part of a criminal gang that has been terrorising residents of Kisumu and its surrounding areas, following an intelligence-led operation that also led to the recovery of suspected stolen property.
Officers from Gita Police Station said the suspect, identified as James Kenneth Otieno, was apprehended after days of relentless pursuit targeting a gang accused of robbery and theft.
The operation intensified after one of Otieno’s alleged accomplices, Hussein Hassan, was lynched by a mob on January 23, 2026, after he was cornered while in possession of a stolen motorcycle.
“Acting on intelligence, our officers pounced on the suspect after establishing that he was still in possession of stolen property,” police said in a statement.
Following the arrest, officers conducted a raid at Otieno’s residence in Kajulu Gardens, Konya sub-location, where they recovered a cache of items suspected to have been stolen.
The recovered goods include three motorcycles, a 65-inch Hisense television set, a 12-kilogramme Menghas gas cylinder, a double-burner gas cooker, assorted mobile phones, and various motorcycle spare parts.
Police said several of the items have already been positively identified by their rightful owners.
“Some of the recovered items have since been identified by their owners, bringing relief to victims who had written off their losses,” the statement said.
Otieno is currently being held in police custody and is undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment in court.
The remaining recovered items have been secured as exhibits pending identification and collection by their owners.
The National Police Service reiterated its commitment to combating crime and protecting lives and property.
At the same time, police cautioned members of the public against mob justice.
“We urge members of the public to resist the temptation of taking the law into their own hands and instead allow justice to take its proper course,” police said.
The police also encouraged the public to share information that could help curb crime through anonymous reporting channels, including the toll-free number 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp 0709 570 000, under the campaign #FichuaKwaDCI.
