Police in Meru have arrested six suspects linked to a gang rape incident that occurred on Monday, December 1, in the Laare area in Meru.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), law enforcement officers from Laare Police Station apprehended the suspects following a horrifying attack that took place in Laare Town, within Igembe North Sub-County.
On the day of the incident, officers received an urgent distress call from members of the public reporting that a young woman was in grave danger, being sexually assaulted by a group of men who were part of a traditional circumcision procession.
Police responded immediately and rushed to the scene, where they found the victim in a state of extreme distress. Her clothes were torn, and she had suffered significant trauma. Officers immediately escorted her to Nyambene Hospital, where she received medical treatment.
Following the attack, law enforcement launched an extensive manhunt to track down those responsible. Using forensic evidence and intelligence leads, detectives conducted targeted operations across multiple locations in the region.
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The coordinated raids in Irinde, Lubwa, and Kiarama areas led to the successful arrest of six suspects: Dennis Mwirigi, Ismael Gichuge, Elijah Muriki, Isaac Ntomauta, Joseph Marete, and Phineas Mutali, who were found hiding in various locations.
These six suspects join three others who were arrested on December 1, bringing the total number of those in custody to nine. All suspects are currently being processed and are expected to be arraigned in court soon.
Detectives have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with officers working tirelessly to identify and apprehend any additional suspects who may have been involved in the attack.
The arrest comes amid growing public concern over gender-based violence in the country.
Recently, authorities in Kirinyaga County arrested three men in connection with the murder of a woman whose body was discovered last month.
In that case, investigators from Kirinyaga East apprehended suspects linked to the killing of Jackline Waruguru Kathuri, whose remains were found on November 22, 2025, in Ninga-ini village.
Officers who responded to a distress call discovered the victim with severe burn injuries, missing body parts, and head trauma.
Through forensic analysis, detectives traced and arrested the main suspect, Collins Muchira Ngege, who subsequently led them to his accomplices, John Brian Kimotho Kamau and Stephen Muchiri Karani.
Preliminary findings in that case revealed the victim had disappeared from her home on November 16, 2025, and was subjected to a brutal sexual assault before being left to die in a nearby thicket.
