DCI Arrest 14 Suspects Attached to Notorious 'Mbogi' Gang

14 suspects linked to the infamous "Mbogi La Izraim Territory", a criminal ring that has been terrorizing marketeers in Kakamega County are in police custody, following a two-day resolute operation by security forces to liberate the streets from gangsters and vandals. 

In a surge of crimes that caused the county residents untold panic and terror, a youthful group rose from among their numbers two months ago.

Their attacks targeted mostly night guards who watch market places and late night pubs, according to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, November 22.

"Surprisingly and to the bewilderment of the police, the gang was stealing nothing from its targets, besides the heinous attacks that left them either dead or mutilated," stated the DCI in part.

A crowd surrounding a police car. /FILE 

Over 10 cases of Murders and Serious Assaults linked to the syndicate were reported on diverse dates between October and November, three of the murders occurring on November 17 and 19, 2022.

In one of the incidents on November 17, 58-yr-old John Mulama - a security guard at Club 2000 within Kambi Somali - was attacked and murdered at his place of work, before his killers proceeded to Amalemba Bus Stage where they also murdered 59-yr-old Festo Iluma, also a watchman at DEE's Pub.

On the night of November 19, the gang advanced its attacks to Mahiakhalo in Bukhungu location, killing 24-yr-old Patrick Kipkosgei, a 5th year student at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in cold blood.

"On the same night, Isaiah Kiprono - a 1st year student at the same university - survived by the skin of his teeth, when the machete-wielding gang accosted him while opening his house. He braved several cuts as he yelled his lungs out, causing his adversaries to flee," added the DCI.

Informed by the horrifying trend, an intelligence-led crackdown by a joint team of the Kenya Police and DCI officers was launched in the area on Sunday November 20, where 10 suspected members of the ring were flushed out of their boltholes and escorted to Kakamega police station.

After investigative interviewing, four more suspects were cornered and nabbed on Monday, November 21 in different locations within the township.

Three get-away motorcycles, metal bars, bloodstained machetes and clothings, and assorted electronics including mobile phones were recovered during the operation.

The DCI noted that preliminary investigations have so far revealed that Mbogi La Izraim Territory was formed to avenge three robbery suspects, who were previously cornered and subjected to mob justice by members of the public. 

The gang had believed that watchmen had informed on them, hence becoming the major targets.

As investigations continue, detectives have been granted custodial orders by Kakamega Law Courts to hold the suspects for 21 days.

Entrance to the DCI headquarters in Nairobi along Kiambu Road. /FILE