A man captured on camera carrying out a violent robbery in Mombasa has been arrested after detectives moved swiftly to track him down, following public outrage sparked by a widely shared video of the attack.
The suspect, Salim Keya Ngesa, was arrested by officers attached to the Mombasa DCI Regional Headquarters working jointly with detectives from DCI Urban and Tononoka Police Station. His arrest came days after a disturbing video surfaced online showing him and another man attacking a watchman with a panga before stealing his mobile phone.
The video, which spread quickly across social media platforms, shows the watchman being ambushed without warning and struck repeatedly as the attackers fled the scene. The footage triggered widespread concern among residents, many of whom complained of frequent robberies targeting pedestrians and night guards.
Following the incident, detectives launched a coordinated operation to identify and trace the suspects. Using forensic evidence and intelligence gathered from the scene and surveillance footage, officers were able to locate Ngesa at a guest house in Bondeni “A,” where he had sought refuge.
He was arrested and taken into custody as investigations continued. A search conducted during the arrest led to the recovery of several items believed to be linked to the robbery.
Police recovered six mobile phones suspected to be stolen, a panga with blood stains, two knives, and a greyish kanzu that matched clothing worn by one of the attackers as captured on CCTV footage.
Ngesa is currently being held as detectives complete the necessary procedures ahead of his arraignment in court. Investigators have also intensified efforts to trace and arrest the second suspect, who remains at large.
Authorities have appealed to members of the public to assist by sharing information that could help locate the accomplice. Police said tips can be submitted anonymously through official communication channels.
“#FichuaKwaDCI. Call 0800 722 203 (Toll-free) or WhatsApp at 0709 570 000 to report anonymously. Usiogope!” police stated.
The arrest has been described as part of wider efforts by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to curb violent crime in Mombasa, particularly attacks involving machetes and knives.
Police say the use of surveillance footage and forensic tracking is proving effective in identifying suspects and linking them to crimes, even after they attempt to go into hiding.
Investigations into the robbery are still ongoing, with detectives determined to dismantle criminal networks behind similar attacks reported in the area.
Residents had earlier expressed fear over what they described as a rise in robberies by gangs targeting phones and other valuables, especially during night hours, following the brutal attack on the watchman.
r valuables following the attack of the unsuspecting watchman with a panga.
