Fifteen suspected gang members have been arrested in Kisumu County following a coordinated operation by detectives targeting a group believed to be armed with crude weapons.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the operation was launched after detectives received intelligence that a group of individuals suspected to be in possession of crude weapons was travelling in three vehicles along the Kisumu-Kericho highway.
Detectives from the DCI Operations Support Unit (OSU), working alongside officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), Nyanza Region, and DCI Kisumu Central, moved swiftly to intercept the vehicles.
15 suspected gang members. Photo: Courtesy.
The suspects were found travelling in a grey Toyota Noah, registration number KCR 790A, and two white Toyota Hiace vans, registration numbers KDM 377M and KDE 819U.
The two vans were operating under Nyakija Classic Shuttle along the Kisumu-Migori route.
A search of the vehicles and the suspects led to the recovery of several mobile phones and an assortment of weapons and other items suspected to have been intended for criminal activities.
Among the items recovered were machetes, pangas, knives, ropes and a metal rod or club.
However, one of the suspects identified as Oliver Jaoko, alias Oliveti, is believed to have escaped during the operation.
According to the DCI, Jaoko was suspected to be the leader of the group and made a daring escape by jumping through a vehicle window.
The 15 suspects were taken into custody alongside the recovered exhibits and are undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment.
Meanwhile, detectives have launched a manhunt for Jaoko as investigations into the suspected criminal network continue.
