The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have apprehended five suspects believed to be part of a gang responsible for a string of motor vehicle and livestock thefts across Kirinyaga, Nyeri, and Murang’a counties.
In a statement, DCI , revealed that the operation was launched after the disappearance of a vehicle in a case reported at Kiaruhiu Police Station.
“Detectives have arrested five suspects believed to be members of a notorious, ruthless gang behind motor vehicle and livestock thefts across Kirinyaga, Nyeri, and Murang’a counties,” the authority stated.
According to the DCI, investigators traced the vehicle and intelligence led to the arrest of a man identified as the gang’s ringleader, who was intercepted while he was planning to meet his accomplices to sell the stolen vehicle.
During questioning, the suspect revealed the location of the car, which had been disguised with fake plates.
Further operations led to the interception of a getaway vehicle carrying four of his accomplices, who were also reportedly connected to the gang.
A search of the intercepted vehicle recovered ten sisal ropes, a panga, two knives, a club and a master key, pointing to the gang’s criminal activities.
Additionally, imvestigations revealed that on the same night the vehicle was stolen, the gang also targeted livestock, slaughtering animals and selling the meat to illegal butchers.
Authorities further established that the gang is linked to an ongoing stock theft case at the Kerugoya Law Courts.
All five suspects were taken into custody and are undergoing processing pending arraignment in court.
