15 Suspected Gang Members Arrested After Detectives Intercept 3 Vehicles Along Kisumu–Kericho Highway

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested 15 suspected gang members and recovered a cache of weapons after intercepting three vehicles in Kisumu. 

In a statement on Sunday, August 16, DCI said the operation followed intelligence that a group of people allegedly armed with crude weapons was travelling in three vehicles along the Kisumu–Kericho Highway.

“Fifteen suspected members of a criminal gang have been arrested, and a cache of crude weapons recovered following a meticulously coordinated operation in Kisumu County.

“The operation followed intelligence that a group of persons suspected to be armed with crude weapons was travelling in three vehicles along the Kisumu–Kericho highway,” read the statement in part. 

Detectives from the DCI Operations Support Unit (OSU), working alongside officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) and DCI Kisumu Central, moved in and intercepted the three vehicles. 

“The suspects were found aboard a grey Toyota Noah, registration number KCR 790A, and two white Toyota Hiace vans, KDM 377M and KDE 819U, both operating under the Nyakija Classic Shuttle along the Kisumu–Migori route,” DCI stated. 

A search of the vehicles and the suspects led to the recovery of several mobile phones and pangas, knives, ropes, metal rods, and other items suspected to have been intended for criminal activities.

During the operation, one of the suspects, identified as Oliver Jaoko, alias Oliveti, allegedly escaped by jumping through a vehicle window.

Jaoko is believed to have been leading the group, and detectives have since launched a manhunt to track him down.

The 15 suspects were taken into custody, where they are undergoing processing pending arraignment. 

This comes a week after police officers arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang accused of terrorizing residents in several estates within Kisumu County. 

In a statement on August 7, the National Police Service (NPS) said officers from Migosi Police Station raided a suspected gang hideout in a deserted house in the Corner "S" area of Kasule Sub-Location, Kolwa Central.

"Five individuals, aged between 19 and 24 and suspected to be part of the criminal gang that has been terrorising residents at night within Lolwe, Mambo Leo, Ogango, and adjacent neighbourhoods, were apprehended at the scene," NPS stated. 

During the operation, officers recovered two knives, one sword and two wooden clubs, which have been retained as evidence.