Police in Kakamega have arrested 14 suspects linked to a dreaded criminal ring dubbed ‘Mbogi la Izraim Territory’ that has been terrorising traders in the county.
According to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects were arrested in a two-day sting operation in Kakamega town.
The suspects are linked to 10 cases of murder and assault involving night guards manning marketplaces and entertainment joints in the busy trading centre.
The youthful group is said to have been terrorising the residents for the past two months.
10 of the suspects were arrested on Sunday after an outcry from members of the public.
The suspects were escorted to Kakamega Police station and grilled for hours leading to the arrest of the other four suspects in different locations within the township.
During the operation, police recovered three get-away motorcycles, metal bars, bloodstained machetes and clothings, and assorted electronics including mobile phones.
In the recent incidents, police said, the gang stole nothing from its targets, besides the heinous attacks that left them either dead or mutilated.
“Over 10 cases of murders and serious assaults linked to the syndicate were reported on diverse dates between October and November, three of the murders occurring on 17th & 19th of November,” the statement read in part.
In one of the incidents that is said to have occurred on November 17, 58-year-old John Mulama —a security guard at Club 2000 within Kambi Somali — was attacked and murdered at his place of work.
After the cold blood killing, the thugs proceeded to Amalemba Bus stage where they also ended the life of 59-year-old Festo Iluma, also a watchman at DEE’s Pub.
On the night of November 19, the bloody gang is said to have advanced its attacks to Mahiakhalo in Bukhungu location, killing Patrick Kipkosgei, a 24-year-old 5th-year student at Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology.
That same night, the killers attacked Isaiah Kiprono, a 1st-year student at the same university, with machetes, leaving him with serious injuries.
The machete-wielding gang is said to have accosted the student while opening his house before attacking him with the pangas.
“He braved several cuts as he yelled his lungs out, causing his adversaries to flee,” police added.
Preliminary investigations indicate ‘Mbogi La Izraim Territory’ gang was formed to avenge three robbery suspects, who were previously cornered and subjected to mob justice by members of the public.
“The gang believes watchmen informed on them, hence becoming the major targets,” DCI added.
The suspects are being held at Kakamega Police station as investigations into the incidents continue.
