Two armed suspects have been arrested in Mombasa by DCI detectives following a security operation that led to the recovery of a loaded AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
Detectives say the pair are linked to a robbery and abduction of a businessman in Kisauni earlier this month.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said efforts “to sanitize the Coast region of criminal elements have received a much-needed boost following the arrest of two (2) armed and dangerous suspects and the recovery of a loaded AK-47 rifle.”
The operation was conducted by a combined team drawn from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) and the Operations Directorate.
According to investigators, the suspects were apprehended after days of surveillance and intelligence-led investigations.
The two suspects, Collins Ochieng alias Voke (22) and Timothy Omondi Mgowe (23), are believed to be behind a robbery and abduction incident involving a businessman in Kisauni Sub-County on February 17, 2026.
During that incident, detectives say the victim was accosted by masked men, robbed of colossal sums of money and other valuables, and later abandoned in the Mombasa Cement area.
The case triggered a joint security response, with detectives intensifying operations in parts of Mombasa County.
Authorities said the team had been working around the cloc,k determined to bring the culprits to book and restore sanity within the Coast region, particularly in Mombasa.”
After what investigators described as painstaking work and acting on credible leads, officers raided a targeted apartment in the Bamburi Fisheries area.
“The operation led to the arrest of the two (2) suspects and the recovery of one (1) AK-47 rifle, one (1) magazine, four (4) rounds of ammunition, and ten (10) assorted mobile phones,” the statement said.
Police believe the recovered items could provide further evidence as investigations continue. The AK-47 rifle was reportedly loaded at the time of recovery.
The arrests come amid heightened security operations aimed at curbing violent crime in the Coast region.
Law enforcement agencies have in recent months pledged to intensify crackdowns on armed gangs and criminal networks operating in Mombasa and its surrounding areas.
Authorities have not disclosed whether additional suspects are being pursued, but indicated that operations are ongoing.
“The suspects are currently undergoing processing pending arraignment, as security operations across the entire Coast region continue to gain traction, with the clear objective of making the region safe for all,” the DCI said.
The Coast region, particularly Mombasa County, has occasionally faced concerns over armed robberies and organised criminal activity.
Security agencies say coordinated intelligence-led operations are central to dismantling such networks.
Investigators are also expected to conduct forensic analysis on the recovered firearm and mobile phones as part of efforts to establish possible links to other criminal incidents.
While the DCI did not provide details on the condition of the businessman who was abducted, the statement confirmed that he had been abandoned after the robbery.
Authorities have urged members of the public to continue sharing information that could help combat crime.
“#FichuaKwaDCI Call 0800 722 203 (Toll-free) or WhatsApp 0709 570 000 to report anonymously. Usiogope,” the statement added.
The arrests are likely to be seen as a boost to security agencies seeking to reassure residents and businesses in the region.
Police say restoring public confidence remains a key priority as they sustain operations targeting armed and organised criminal groups.
Further updates are expected once the suspects are formally charged in court.
