Police in Nyakach Sub-county have arrested two suspects, including a 20-year-old Form Four student, in connection with a string of robberies, house break-ins, and thefts that have terrorized residents in the area over recent weeks.
The suspects, among them a candidate sitting for the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, were apprehended following a coordinated intelligence-led operation by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and local police units.
During the arrests, officers recovered a toy pistol, several electronic gadgets, and crude weapons believed to have been used in the criminal activities.
Student Arrested Inside School Compound
According to a police report seen by Mulembe Times, the student — a KCSE candidate at Ramula Odowa Secondary School — was arrested within the school premises after officers received a tip-off linking him to multiple robbery incidents in Nyabondo, Ndare Ramula, and Dirubi areas.
Detectives say the suspect had been under surveillance for several days after residents reported an increase in night break-ins targeting homes, shops, and institutions.
Upon interrogation, the student allegedly confessed to taking part in several of the robberies and went further to identify his accomplices, leading police to one of the named suspects.
Second Suspect Captured
Acting on the information, police raided a homestead in Dirubi where they arrested Japheth Ndege, another suspect believed to be a key member of the gang.
During the subsequent search, officers recovered laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and other electronic items suspected to have been stolen from Kabete Primary School, Kabete AIC Church, and several business premises in Nyabondo town that had recently been broken into.
The police also recovered a crowbar and a panga, tools believed to have been used to force entry during the robberies.
Pattern of Robberies
Nyakach Sub-county Police Commander confirmed the arrests, saying the two are part of a wider criminal network that has been terrorizing locals, especially during the ongoing heavy rains when many homes are left unattended.
“We have made significant progress in dismantling this gang. One of the suspects, shockingly, is a student preparing for national examinations. We urge parents, teachers, and community members to be more vigilant about the company their children keep,”
said the police commander.
The officer further noted that the recovered items have been positively identified by some of the complainants, while others are still being verified as part of the ongoing investigations.
Community Relief and Ongoing Probe
Residents of Nyabondo and Ramula expressed relief following the arrests, describing the gang’s activities as a “nightmare” that had instilled fear in the community.
“Shops were being broken into almost every week. Even churches were not spared,” said one resident. “We are grateful the police have acted swiftly before things got worse.”
The two suspects are currently being held at Ogoro Police Station as detectives pursue more leads that could lead to the arrest of other accomplices still at large.
The recovered items have been booked as exhibits and will be presented in court once the suspects are formally charged.
The arrests come amid growing concerns over youth involvement in crime, with police attributing the trend to peer influence, idleness, and the lure of quick money from stolen goods.
