Authorities have arrested two prime suspects linked to a series of violent robberies in Mbale, Vihiga County and its surrounding regions.
In a statement on Wednesday, February 12, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed the arrests of Nelson Auko and Godfrey Muyeiya following a multi-agency operation.
According to the DCI, the suspects were apprehended after a well-coordinated crackdown fueled by crucial leads from members of the public.
Detectives from DCI Vihiga, working in collaboration with the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau from the Western Region, conducted the operation that led to the arrests.
“The reign of terror orchestrated by a pack of notorious violent robbers in Mbale town and its environs has ended with the arrest of two prime suspects; Nelson Auko, 28, and Godfrey Muyeiya, 20.
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"The crackdown in which they were arrested was fueled by crucial leads from members of the public, who tipped detectives from DCI Vihiga and their Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau counterparts from Western Region,” the statement read.
During the raid at the suspects' hideout in Mbale town, detectives recovered 14 stolen mobile phones including four Tecno phones.
"Ambushing the suspects' hideout in Mbale town, the detectives confiscated a treasure trove of 14 stolen mobile phones, which included four Tecno phones, two Neon Ray phones, five Itel phones, a Samsung, Maxfone and an Okings phone," the statement added.
Notably, some of the recovered phones were reported stolen and have already been positively identified by their rightful owners.
Auko and Muyeiya are currently in police custody undergoing processing as they await court proceedings.
This comes two weeks after DCI cracked a robbery ring that targeted unsuspecting foreign nationals.
In a statement on Wednesday, January 22, DCI said detectives arrested three suspects in an Airbnb at Badar House, Mwembeni area of Kisauni Sub-County in connection with the crime.
The suspects identified as Mutegi Mbeti, Dickson Otwera Tunya, and Humphrey Nyairo Nyachwaya were linked to a daring robbery that occurred on January 19, 2025, involving two Russian nationals in Bamburi.
According to investigators, the suspects posed as hosts and lured the victims to the Airbnb.
Once inside, they brandished weapons and demanded Ksh 2.5 million, threatening to kill the victims if they did not comply.
DCI added that further investigations revealed that the suspects are part of an elaborate online dating scam that targets foreign nationals.
Using accomplices based overseas, the group would lure victims into fraudulent schemes and channel payments into foreign bank accounts.
