3 Arrested as Police Recover Phone Stolen in Ksh169,000 M-Pesa Robbery

Three suspects linked to a robbery at an M-Pesa shop in Katangi, Yatta Sub-County, have been arrested following a coordinated police operation.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 1, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the robbery occurred on May 15, 2026, when an M-Pesa attendant was robbed of Ksh169,000.

According to the agency, the arrests followed a tip-off from members of the public that enabled police officers from Katangi to move in quickly and apprehend one of the suspects at Katangi Shopping Centre.

"Acting on a tip-off from members of the public, officers from Katangi moved with speed, intercepting and arresting one of the suspects, Ben Mutuku, at Katangi Shopping Centre," the statement read.

Police subsequently expanded the operation to Yathui in Mwala Sub-County, where they tracked down two other suspects allegedly linked to the robbery. 

The two were arrested while travelling in a white Toyota Corolla bearing registration number KDU 164G.

"The dragnet then widened to Yathui in Mwala Sub-County, where two more suspects, Simon Makau and Samuel Mbolu, were cornered and arrested while travelling in a white Toyota Corolla, registration KDU 164G," the statement added.

During the operation, police also recovered an M-Pesa till phone that had been stolen during the robbery.

It was later positively identified by the attendant who had lost it during the incident.

"Also recovered during the operation was an M-Pesa till phone stolen during the robbery. The device was subsequently positively identified by the M-Pesa attendant," the statement further read.

The three suspects remain in police custody as officers complete processing ahead of their arraignment in court. 

The vehicle used by the suspects and the recovered phone have been impounded and are being held as exhibits as investigations into the robbery continue.

This comes days after police officers in Kisumu recovered an assortment of electronics during a raid on a suspected phone theft and hacking syndicate.

In a statement on Saturday, August 29, the National Police Service (NPS) said one suspect was arrested during the ambush in Kondele after detectives received a tip-off from an anonymous source. 

The police officers recovered 32 mobile phones, three laptops and devices used to hack the post-paid phones.

"Officers from Kondele Police Station moved in after developing leads and gathering sufficient evidence linking the suspect to the syndicate. They mounted an operation within the Kondele area, culminating in his arrest.

"The operation yielded a significant haul of suspected stolen property, including 32 assorted mobile phones and various M-KOPA HMD batteries. Three laptops equipped with suspected hacking tools, along with external hard drives, were also recovered," the statement read.

The suspect was booked at Kondele Police Station awaiting processing before his presented in court to answer charges that will be preferred against him.

NPS acknowledged the suspect's arrest as a result of the Service's new approach to tackling crime; turning information into decisive action and denying criminal networks any opportunity to operate with impunity.

It further expressed gratitude to members of the public for sharing information that led to the arrest, and encouraged Kenyans to collaborate with law enforcement to combat crime.

"The National Police Service thanks members of the public who continue to share vital information with law enforcement agencies and encourages the public to remain collaborative by volunteering timely information on any suspicious activities," the statement added.