Police have arrested 14 suspects linked to a criminal gang that has been terrorising residents in Kakamega.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the fourteen are linked to the infamous criminal gang “Mbogi La Izraim Territory”.
“14 suspects linked to the infamous “Mbogi La Izraim Territory” a criminal ring that has been terrorizing marketeers in Kakamega are in police custody following a two-day resolute operation by security forces to sanitize the streets of gangsters and vandals,” DCI stated.
DCI, said that the operation launched on Sunday and led by a team of police from Kakamega and the Directorate’s officers resulted in the arrest of 10 of the suspected members.
“After investigative interviewing, four more suspects were nabbed yesterday in different locations within the township,” DCI added.
According to the police, the gang made up of young people which mostly attacked market places and late night pubs’ night guards, was formed two months ago.
In the bewilderment of the police, the gang didn’t steal from its targets, besides the heinous attacks that left them either dead or mutilated.
Over ten 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.
In one of the incidents, 58-year-old John Mulama, a security guard at Club 2000 within Kambi Somali was attacked and murdered at his place of work.
They later proceeded to kill 59-year-old Festo Lluma, a watchman at DEE’s Pub.
On the night of November 19, the gang is believed to have killed a fifth year student at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Patrick Kipkosgei was murdered in cold blood at Mahiakhalo in Bukhungu location.
Another student, a first year at the same school, Isaiah Kiprono, survived an attack by the group, when he screamed for help prompting them to flee.
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.
“The gang believes watchmen informed on them, hence becoming the major targets,” DCI said.
The officers recovered three get-away motorcycles, metal bars, bloodstained machetes, clothing and assorted electronics including mobile phones from the arrested suspects.
Kakamega Law Courts has granted detectives custodial orders to hold the suspects for 21 days, as investigations continue.
