Detectives on Tuesday arrested six suspected robbers in Meru County after weeks of covert surveillance, recovering two Falcon pistols and multiple incriminating exhibits. The DCI said the group was deeply entrenched in organised crime and warned criminals that their days are numbered as the festive season begins.
According to investigators, the coordinated operation was the culmination of a sustained, covert pursuit aimed at disrupting a violent robbery ring believed to have been preparing for yet another attack.
DCI officers from Mutuati and Igembe North Sub-Counties, reportedly monitored the suspects’ movements for several weeks before finally moving in and storming their hideouts, catching the gang flat-footed before they could launch their next mission.
The DCI confirmed that two Falcon pistols and three rounds of live ammunition were recovered in the raid. They also seized two numberless motorcycles, stripped bike parts, painting a portrait of a coordinated criminal outfit with established logistical support.
Ballistics specialists have commenced forensic analysis of the seized firearms to determine whether they were used in past crimes.
According to the DCI, experts are leaving no stone unturned, with meticulous scientific examination expected to form a crucial part of the prosecution’s evidence.
The suspects, identified as Derrick Kithinji, Aaron Mwendia, Amon Muarangiri, Anthony Munene, Francis Mugambi, and Ambrose Muriithi, were taken into custody immediately after the raid.
Authorities say they are “deeply entrenched in organised crime,” and the six are expected to be arraigned in court today to face charges related to armed robbery and possession of illegal firearms.
The arrest comes at a time when security agencies are heightening vigilance across the country as the festive season approaches.
December is traditionally associated with increased travel and commercial activity, prompting law enforcement to intensify operations targeting criminal networks that seek to exploit the period.
In a stern warning issued after the arrests, the DCI said the operation was part of a wider national crackdown aimed at neutralising violent gangs. “As the country ushers in the festive season, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is cautioning criminals that their days are numbered,” the agency stated.
It added that detectives remain “on high alert in case of any eventualities,” signalling a renewed and aggressive push to stabilise security.
The DCI further urged the public to take an active role in the fight against crime by sharing information anonymously.
The agency encouraged citizens to use the #FichuaKwaDCI hotline, reminding the public that they can call 0800 722 203 toll-free or send a WhatsApp message to 0709 570 000. “Usiogope!” the agency emphasised, reassuring Kenyans that they can report suspicious activity without fear of retaliation.
