What began as a road accident for a couple in Kikuyu allegedly turned into a violent crime after two men reportedly posed as Good Samaritans before robbing the victims, draining their M-Pesa accounts and sexually assaulting the woman. Detectives have now arrested two suspects as investigations widen into what police believe could be part of a larger criminal network operating in the area.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspects were arrested in Kamangu, Kikuyu, following a coordinated operation by officers from the agency's Headquarters' Operations Action Team (OAT), the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), and detectives based in Kikuyu.
According to investigators, the victims had been involved in a road traffic accident near Kikuyu Boys High School when the suspects allegedly approached them under the guise of offering help.
Police allege that instead of assisting the couple, the two men robbed them of their valuables before forcing them to reveal their M-Pesa PINs. The information was then allegedly used to access and empty the victims' mobile money accounts. The woman was also allegedly gang raped during the attack.
"They descended on the vulnerable couple, robbing them of their valuables, coercing them into revealing their M-Pesa PINs before draining their accounts, and subjecting the female victim to a horrific gang rape," the DCI said in a statement.
After the incident was reported, detectives launched investigations, combining forensic analysis with intelligence gathering to identify those behind the attack.
The probe eventually led officers to Kamangu, where the two suspects were arrested.
During the operation, detectives recovered mobile phones believed to have been used in the alleged fraudulent M-Pesa transactions. Police also recovered two pangas that investigators believe may have been used during the commission of the offences.
"Detectives recovered the mobile phones used to facilitate the fraudulent M-Pesa transactions, as well as two pangas believed to have been used during the commission of the offences," the agency said.
The DCI said investigators are now examining whether the suspects could be linked to other violent robberies and sexual offences reported in Kikuyu Sub-County and neighbouring areas.
Police are also pursuing a suspected receiver of the stolen mobile phones as they seek to establish whether more people were involved in the alleged crimes.
The suspects remain in custody at Kikuyu Police Station as investigations continue. They are expected to undergo an identification parade before further processing and possible arraignment in court.
The DCI said information shared by members of the public helped investigators make a breakthrough in the case and urged residents to continue reporting criminal activities. The agency added that it remains committed to tracking down suspects involved in violent crimes and dismantling criminal networks operating across the region.