Nairobi OCS arraigned after being linked to dramatic kidnapping, robbery syndicate

The suspect, Inspector Kelvin Mwangi Muraguri—the Deputy Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Drive In Police Post, appeared in court alongside his co-accused, Stephen Okello Obewa. 

The duo faces capital charges of robbery with violence, contrary to Section 296(2) of the Penal Code.

According to charge sheets from Kasarani Police Station, the incident occurred on July 30, 2026, within Kasarani sub-county. 

The suspects are accused of violently robbing Kanuti Konrad, a Tanzanian national, of an iPhone 17 valued at Ksh.60,000, a Nokia phone valued at Ksh.1,000, and two Mimic mobile phones valued at Ksh.15,000. 

The court documents indicate that the gang used actual violence against the victim during the execution of the crime.

The arraignment follows a terrifying ordeal that began as a routine online business delivery. Konrad, and his wife, Beatrice Naliaka, had travelled to Baba Ndogo to deliver an Apple Smart Watch ordered online. 

Upon arrival, they were ambushed, handcuffed, and forced into a waiting white Toyota Axio. After forcing Konrad to withdraw Ksh.17,000 at a local service station, the gang demanded a Ksh.1 million ransom.

They drove to the Equity Bank branch in Githurai 44, keeping Naliaka hostage in the car while sending Konrad inside to withdraw the ransom. Once inside, Konrad secretly alerted a bank teller, who signalled armed guards and a nearby Special Crimes Prevention Unit patrol team. 

In the ensuing chaos, officers fired warning shots, leading to the immediate arrest of Obewa, who owned the getaway vehicle. During interrogation, Obewa implicated several serving police officers in the syndicate. 

This led to the subsequent arrest of Inspector Mwangi later that evening. 

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that several other rogue police officers who were in the company of the accused OCS during the operation remain at large.

A manhunt continues for the fleeing accomplices, identified as Oliver Baraza, Job Sidiga, and Cyrus Onyango.

The prosecution requested the court to remand the suspects in custody as investigations into the wider extortion network widen.

However, the case was withdrawn at the request of the complainants and the accused, who told the court both parties had formally agreed on an outside-court settlement.