Over 30 Phones Recovered as 3 Suspects Arrested in Nairobi CBD

A trail that started with a break-in and theft from a locked motor vehicle in Murang’a in May 2025 has led detectives to Nairobi, where three suspects have been arrested and a collection of suspected stolen mobile phones recovered.

In a statement on Sunday, October 4, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said detectives from Murang’a East Sub-County, working alongside their counterparts from DCI Central Nairobi, acted on actionable intelligence before descending on the Nairobi CBD.

'A trail that began with a break-in and theft from a locked motor vehicle reported in Murang’a in May 2025 has now led detectives to Nairobi, where three suspects have been arrested and a haul of 32 suspected stolen mobile phones recovered," the statement read.

According to the DCI, the operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects identified as Michael Waweru, Wilson Wanjama and Samuel Kimani. Detectives subsequently searched their premises as part of investigations into the suspected handling of stolen mobile phones.

"The arrests were followed by a search of their premises, which yielded 32 assorted mobile phones and a tablet, all suspected to be stolen property," the statement added.

In addition to the phones and tablet, detectives recovered a MacBook Air, a Lightwave cash-counting machine and several items believed to have been used in the handling, packaging and sale of mobile phones.

The recovered items included 22 assorted empty mobile-phone boxes bearing no IMEI numbers, two counter books, five small books, two notebooks and 12 receipt books.

"The recovery of the packaging materials and business records has added another layer to the investigation, as detectives work to establish the origin, ownership and movement of the recovered devices and determine their possible connection to other theft cases," the statement further read.

The three suspects have since been escorted back to Murang’a Police Station, where they remain in custody as detectives process them ahead of their arraignment.

This comes days after detectives arrested a Tanzanian couple in connection with running a stupefying racket targeting unsuspecting bus passengers. 

In a statement on Wednesday, September 30, DCI said the couple was apprehended after they allegedly drugged and robbed a passenger on a Dreamline bus from Nairobi to Mombasa.

According to the DCI, the passenger was stupefied during the journey and lost consciousness.

"A Tanzanian couple suspected of running a ruthless stupefying racket that preyed on unsuspecting bus passengers, drugging them and vanishing with their valuables, has been arrested in Mombasa.

"The latest case came to light on September 18, 2026, when a passenger boarded a Dreamline bus from Nairobi to Mombasa. Somewhere along the journey, the passenger seated next to him allegedly stupefied him, sending him into unconsciousness," read the statement in part

The passenger later regained consciousness at Tudor Sub-County Hospital, where he discovered that his bag and other personal belongings were missing. 

DCI detectives from Makupa Police Station immediately launched an investigation into the incident and followed forensic leads that eventually led them to Magongo.

The sleuths arrested 52-year-old Pius Paskale Frugenze and his 47-year-old wife, Redempta Revelian Kuleta, both Tanzanian nationals.

A search of the couple's residence reportedly yielded the complainant's HP laptop and iPhone 17 Pro Max. 

The officers also recovered several other items believed to be stolen, including mobile phones, 20 phone chargers, 10 wristwatches, 20 wallets and assorted clothing.

The detectives further recovered substances suspected to be stupefying drugs.