DCI Go After Gang Of 10 Who Robbed Thika Road Motorists During Ruto's Mathare Tour

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a sting operation targeting criminals who descended upon passengers, motorists, and shops in a rampant looting and theft spree following President William Ruto's tour of Mathare and its environs.

In response to the wave of terror that swept the Mathare and Ruaraka constituencies, as well as sections of Thika Road on Tuesday, March 11, police officers launched a crackdown to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for these criminal acts and ensure that public safety is restored.

DCI confirmed on Thursday, March 13, that so far, eight suspects have been arrested in connection to robbing members of the public in broad daylight, all while President Ruto was crisscrossing both constituencies during his working tour of Nairobi.

Suspects linked to Thika Road robbery who were arrested by police. /DCI

"So far, John Junior Oginga, who was armed with a knife when he attacked and robbed an unsuspecting individual of an Oppo A77S mobile phone valued at Ksh28,000, was arrested. Oginga was apprehended along Thika Highway and was escorted to Pangani Police Station," DCI stated in part.

The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court to answer to charges of robbery with violence.

Other suspects were arrested in Nairobi's Mathare estate after they allegedly stole phones from members of the public during President Ruto's visit to the area. They were taken to Muthaiga Police Station and later brought before the court to face robbery charges.

"Jared Nyanza, Darlin Lande, Daniel Okombe, Mike Robert, Elvis Otieno, Reagan Omondi and Mathenge Gachiri who are among a group of ten who robbed members of the public of their phones and other valuables in Mathare Area 4 were arrested.

"The suspects were escorted to Muthaiga Police Station. Also recovered from their possession were seven brand-new shirts, believed to be stolen property," added DCI.

Meanwhile, DCI revealed that police officers have intensified their crackdown to bring to justice additional suspects involved in these criminal acts.

Two days ago, in videos that went viral online, the youth ran through the streets, mercilessly targeting shops as others stopped motorists along the busy highway and attacked them, frustrating the normal flow of traffic along the road.

The disruptive actions of the unruly youths caused sections of Thika Road, particularly Outering Road from Survey to the Kariobangi Roundabout, as well as the area near Utalii College, to become impassable.

Footage captured groups of youths pelting stones at motorists and attacking pedestrians, forcing many drivers to make U-turns while businesses ranging from formal to informal shut down abruptly.

Other videos shared on X captured the rampaging youths forcefully boarding public transport, robbing commuters, and looting private vehicles stranded in traffic around the areas.