12 MAY 2025 | Mulembe Times Reporter
Three men suspected of orchestrating a violent robbery and a series of similar criminal activities in Machakos County have been arrested following a coordinated manhunt led by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The suspects—identified as Kelvin Baraza Andayi alias Kevoo, Titus Mutuku Maingi alias Tush, and Jack Wilshere Kimathi alias Jack—were nabbed on Sunday, May 12, after weeks of surveillance and forensic tracking by DCI’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau. The trio is believed to be behind the violent February 23 robbery at Sanergy Limited Company, located within the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Kinanie, Athi River.
During the February raid, a gang of five men armed with crude weapons stormed the facility at night, catching staff unaware. According to eyewitnesses and CCTV footage, the gang viciously assaulted several workers, tied them up, and held them hostage for hours. The robbers then carted away a variety of valuable items including a refrigerator, microwave, two lorry batteries, two backloader tractor batteries, and a portable generator. They are said to have loaded the stolen items into a white pickup truck before fleeing the scene under the cover of darkness.
“The operation was well-planned and executed like a military ambush. The robbers moved quickly, disabling the security system and using threats of violence to subdue everyone,” a police source familiar with the case revealed.
Following the incident, DCI officers launched an intensive investigation that involved analysis of CCTV footage, mobile phone tracking, and intelligence from local informants. The breakthrough came last week when Kelvin Andayi was traced to a rented house in Kamulu, on the outskirts of Nairobi.
Upon searching the premises, police recovered a Beretta pistol suspected to have been used in other criminal activities. Officers also found several tactical clothing items resembling police uniforms, six assorted SIM cards, mobile phones, and documents believed to aid the suspects in impersonation and planning. The items are undergoing forensic analysis.
Andayi’s arrest led detectives to two other suspects, Titus Maingi and Jack Kimathi, who were found hiding in Gimu area of Athi River. The duo reportedly attempted to escape upon noticing the officers but were quickly subdued and arrested without incident.
Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia confirmed the arrests and commended the DCI team for their diligent work. “This is a major breakthrough not only for the Kinanie incident but also for several unresolved cases in the area. These suspects are part of a larger network that has been terrorizing businesses and residents in Athi River and its environs,” Lobolia said.
He added that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining two gang members who are still at large. Police believe the group may have ties to other robbery cases reported in Nairobi, Mlolongo, and Kitengela, particularly those involving violent break-ins and theft of industrial equipment.
The three suspects are currently in lawful custody and will be arraigned in Machakos Law Courts this week. Charges expected to be preferred against them include robbery with violence, illegal possession of a firearm, impersonation, and possession of government stores.
Meanwhile, DCI has urged members of the public who may have information regarding the other suspects or similar robberies to come forward and assist in investigations. A confidential hotline has been set up for tips, with assurances of anonymity and safety for informants.
The Sanergy Limited EPZ robbery had raised alarm among businesses operating in the region, many of whom had increased private security in fear of repeated attacks. With these arrests, authorities are optimistic that the gang’s operations have been crippled.
“This is not just a victory for the police, but for the entire community. We must remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies to eliminate crime,” Lobolia emphasized.
