4th person of interest in ruthless robbery syndicate targeting traders arrested in Kasarani
Another person of interest linked to a robbery syndicate terrorising wine and spirits traders across Kajiado, Kiambu and Nairobi counties has been arrested.
In a statement shared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday, February 27, 2026, detectives confirmed the arrest of the individual, described as a close ally of the alleged mastermind behind the violent attacks.
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According to the DCI, the individual had been on the run after several members of the group were arrested last week in a major crackdown that brought relief to affected traders.
“After days of painstaking investigations and follow-up on intelligence leads, detectives drawn from DCI Headquarters smoked the individual out of his hideout in the Sonic area of Kasarani Sub-County, where he had holed up after some of his associates were arrested last week,” the DCI said.
Authorities added that the person of interest is also linked to a kidnapping gang that investigators say they are determined to dismantle.
“The individual, together with other accomplices who are still at large, is also linked to a kidnapping gang that detectives are determined to dismantle to ensure justice for the victims. He will be processed and arraigned accordingly as the operation to weed out his remaining allies continues,” the agency stated.
The arrest comes just days after the DCI announced a breakthrough in investigations into a string of robberies with violence and murder incidents that had cast fear among traders in the three counties.
For months, wines and spirits outlets in Kajiado, Kiambu and Nairobi operated under constant threat. The gang would reportedly strike swiftly, armed with crude weapons, making away with cash and alcoholic stock. In some cases, traders were left injured and businesses destroyed.
What initially appeared to be isolated attacks later revealed a pattern. Investigators said the group conducted surveillance on targeted outlets before carrying out coordinated raids. There was also an organised chain for the disposal of stolen goods.
In the earlier operation, detectives arrested key persons of interest believed to have played different roles in the network. One individual was described as the alleged mastermind and chief coordinator of the group. Others were said to have handled the distribution of stolen goods and facilitated transport and surveillance.
Following the arrests, victims of robbery with violence from areas such as Ongata Rongai and Karen flocked to Kikuyu Police Station to identify recovered property. Among the items presented were assorted alcoholic products bearing unique identification marks placed by traders.
Meanwhile, forensic experts from the DCI’s Photographic Imaging and Acoustics Unit are continuing to analyse CCTV footage collected from affected premises. The agency said the visual and audio evidence will be key in supporting witness accounts and strengthening the prosecution’s case.
“The DCI commends members of the public who shared vital information concerning these cases, since security is a shared responsibility, and together we are dismantling organised crime one syndicate at a time,” the statement read.
Police stations handling related incidents have also been notified to support the ongoing probe as authorities move to ensure that all victims are heard and those behind the crimes are brought to justice.
