Four ex-police officers arrested over violent robbery, abduction in Nairobi

In what they termed a major breakthrough in combating crime within Nairobi, security agencies have successfully apprehended key suspects behind a spate of robberies and kidnappings across the city and its outskirts.

The ring leader, Cleophas Wambua Musinga, a former police officer who once served in Homa Bay, was captured while hiding in Kitengela alongside his associate, James Omwami.

Investigations have revealed that Musinga abandoned his official duties as a law enforcer and became a lawbreaker, allegedly plotting and executing several criminal activities.

During the raid in Kitengela, police recovered items believed to be linked to the criminal network, including multiple vehicle registration number plates, seven mobile phones, a teargas canister, ID cards, and a pair of handcuffs suspected to have been used in unlawful detentions or intimidation.

A Nairobi County employee and blogger, Bravin Korir, narrated his harrowing experience at the hands of the suspects who were posing as police officers.

“Nikitoka Mbagathi around 6:20 nikaconfrontiwa na three men wakaniambia ni DCI wa Central Police Station. Walikuwa na Honda Fit KDG 514Y. Luckily kulikuwa na employee wa Mbagathi aliona nikirushwa kwa gari,” said Bravin Korir, a kidnapping victim.

At the time, the suspects switched the registration number after allegedly acquiring it from the owner, who was later arrested.

“Zile plates walikuwa wameweka nyuma zilikuwa fake. Kuna hizi identifiers wanakuwanga wameweka kwa dirisha, walikuwa wameweka black tapes kwa hizo identifiers wakasahau ya driver’s seat. Nikashika hiyo, vile nilikuja kureport the first thing walifanya wakashika hiyo gari,” said Korir.

Some of the identification documents recovered are also under scrutiny to determine their origin.

Two other serving officers, Kipkurui Bii and Mwalimu Said Mwalole, attached to the DCI, were also arrested in connection to a violent robbery in Mirema, Kasarani, where they used a Subaru vehicle registration KDC 069E and an AK-47 firearm to force a resident into his home and steal $16,000, equivalent to Ksh.2.06 million.

The four suspects are expected to be arraigned on Thursday.