Four individuals have been formally charged in connection with a spate of violent robberies and attempted murders in Kuria West Sub-County, following their arrest earlier this month.
The suspects—Lekishon Simion Nawapa, Marwa Samuel Nyamohanga, Melchizedek Marwa Chacha, and Julius Mwita Juma, also known as Kehogo—were apprehended on 5 March 2026.
They were initially presented before the Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court on 9 March 2026 under Miscellaneous Application No. E023/2026, where custodial orders were issued as investigations continued.
On March 23, 2026, the four were arraigned for plea-taking and subsequently faced charges under three separate case files.
The charges include seven counts of robbery with violence and two counts of attempted murder.
The prosecution opposed the suspects’ release on bail, highlighting ongoing investigations into other unresolved violent crimes in which they are believed to have been involved.
Senior Principal Magistrate Joseph Mwita emphasized the gravity of the allegations, noting that “the suspects are linked to a pattern of criminal activities that pose a serious threat to public safety. Custodial orders are necessary to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigations.”
The matter is scheduled for mention on 31 March 2026, during which the court will hear arguments on bail and conduct a pre-trial conference.
The arrests and subsequent charges come amid increased efforts by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on violent crime in the region.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding communities and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.
“Violent crime will not be tolerated in Kuria West or any other region of the country. We urge members of the public to cooperate with investigations by providing any information that may help bring criminals to book,” said DCI.
The Kuria West community has in recent months witnessed an uptick in robberies and violent incidents, prompting local authorities and law enforcement agencies to step up patrols and investigations.
As investigations continue, authorities urge anyone with further information about the suspects’ activities or other related crimes to come forward. The DCI reiterated that it remains steadfast in its mission to protect the public and ensure that violent offenders are held accountable.
The case is now set to continue through the legal process, with the next hearing on 31 March 2026 expected to determine the suspects’ bail status and outline pre-trial proceedings.