The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched an operation to dismantle juvenile gangs, following the death of a teenager in violent gang clashes.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 27, the agency confirmed that 15-year-old Joshua Kubiti died while receiving treatment at Radiant Hospital in Umoja.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has launched comprehensive investigations into the rise of juvenile gangs in Umoja and its environs.
"This follows a viral video on social media showing a group of boys engaged in violent clashes, which tragically resulted in the death of 15-year-old Joshua Kubiti, who succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Radiant Hospital, Umoja," the statement read.
The DCI revealed that the gangs, largely composed of school-going teenagers, operate under notorious names, including Chinje, Mbogi, Bad Bunny, and Silent.
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The agency added that the groups have been linked to various criminals activities, including phone snatching, in different Nairobi areas.
"Preliminary investigations have established that the boys, aged between 12 and 19, have formed rival groups under names such as Chinje, Mbogi, Bad Bunny, and Silent, among others.
"These groups have been linked to violent confrontations, phone snatching, and theft in Tena, Innercore, Umoja I, II & III, Kayole, Kariobangi, and neighbouring areas. Recruitment often takes place during school holidays, exposing more youths to crime," the statement added.
According to the DCI, the crackdown which was led by detectives based at Buruburu Police Station has led to the arrest of 14 juveniles.
"In a targeted crackdown led by Buruburu detectives, 14 juveniles (10 male, 4 female) were arrested and presented before the Makadara Law Courts, where detectives were granted custodial orders to facilitate thorough investigations into the murder of Joshua Kubiti and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable and justice is served," the statement further read.
The agency assured Kenyans that the fight against teenage crime will be sustained, with the crackdown extended nationwide.
"The National Police Service reiterates its unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order and assures members of the public of their safety. A sustained crackdown against juvenile gangs and other criminal elements in Nairobi and across the country remains ongoing," the statement concluded.
Earlier Wednesday, DCI announced the arrest of three suspects believed to be behind a wave of violent robberies, rape, and defilement in Kisii and Nyamira counties have been arrested following a joint operation.
In a statement, the agency said the suspects are linked to three incidents in Ramasha and Magena areas.
"The reign of terror by a dreaded gang of three linked to violent robberies, rape, and defilement across Nyamira and Kisii has come to an end. After a painstaking probe, detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) linked the criminals to at least three separate heists: two in Ramasha and one in Magena," the statement read.
According to the DCI, one of the incidents involved an elderly sickly victim who was ambushed in her home and robbed.
"In one incident, the gang struck at the home of a 96-year-old grandmother in the dead of night. The devout Catholic, perhaps hoping to save their soul, offered a prayer for her uninvited visitors. The gang respectfully bowed their heads, but the holiness stopped there.
"Minutes later, the gang guzzled down all the milk she had kept in a flask for her medication, ate every edible crumb in sight, and made away with all the electronics in the house," the statement added.
The DCI noted that the breakthrough came after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, leading to the arrests of William Obiero Gekonge, James Mogaka Otego, and Justus Ondieki Nyabuto.
