NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 22 — Police in Kitui have arrested four suspects linked to robbery with violence.
The suspects — Aron Macharia (29), Alex Kamwaki Kilonzo (33), Amos Mutuku (27), and Ben Mbatha (30) — robbed a businessman in Mwingi town, according to the police.
Peter Mwasi Kamami was riding his motorbike from Mwingi town to Tseikuru when the four intercepted him and robbed him Sh900,000.
The police reported the recovery of Sh599,000 and a toy pistol from the suspects in a report circulated on Thursday.
The incident comes a day after the National Police Service (NPS) announced a crackdown on a criminal gang operating in Mlolongo and Makueni along Mombasa Road.
Police linked the gang to a vehicle theft syndicate operating between Kenya and Tanzania, the intended market for stollen vehicles and vehicle parts.
In a statement of Wednesday, NPS said the suspected carjackers have been employing different strategies to fool unsuspecting motor vehicle owners.
Authorities identified the suspects as George Maloba Osokho, Martin Nyamai, Edward Rogova Mudachi, and Morris Muli Lumumba.
Investigations have revealed the involvement of the quartet in previous criminal activities dating back to October 28, 2023, in Makueni.
“Their strategies include the hiring of vehicles for weddings/engagements from companies, never to return the vehicles,” NPS said as it urged motor vehicle owners and car rentals to be wary of the syndicate.
Police zeroed in on the suspects on January 14 following the theft of a motor vehicle in Kitui Kwa Vonza.
They were charged at Makueni Law Courts on February 20 for robbery with violence and remanded at Makueni Main Prison after pleading not guilty.
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has flagged Kenya among the East African countries where motor vehicle theft is prevalent.