By Mumo Judah | Thursday, 28 May 2026 | Nyeri
Detectives have arrested five suspects believed to be members of a notorious criminal gang linked to a series of motor vehicle and livestock theft incidents across Kirinyaga, Nyeri, and Murang’a counties.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation launched after the disappearance of a Toyota Sienta, registration number KCY 467A, in a case reported at Kiaruhiu Police Station.
According to investigators, detectives tracked down the suspected gang leader, Martin Ndegwa Kinyua, at Kagicha area in Nyeri County while he was allegedly planning to meet accomplices to dispose of the stolen vehicle.
During interrogation, Ndegwa reportedly led officers to Skuta area, where the stolen Toyota Sienta had been hidden and disguised using fake registration plates KDJ 765J.
The operation later intensified when detectives intercepted a Toyota Succeed, registration number KCS 523H, believed to have been used as a getaway vehicle. Inside the vehicle were four additional suspects identified as Bernard Njeru Kimathi, Edwin Muchira Mwinga, Tobias Macharia Mwangi, and James Muthama Muriuki.
Police said a search conducted inside the vehicle recovered ten sisal ropes, a panga, two knives, a rungu, and a master key, items investigators believe were intended for criminal activities.
Further investigations revealed that on the same night the gang allegedly stole the motor vehicle, they are also suspected to have stolen and slaughtered livestock before selling the meat through illegal channels to unscrupulous butchers.
Detectives have also linked the suspects to an ongoing stock theft case currently before the Kerugoya Law Courts.
“All the suspects are currently in custody undergoing processing pending arraignment, while investigations continue to identify and arrest more accomplices connected to the syndicate,” investigators said.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reiterated its commitment to dismantling organized criminal networks involved in vehicle theft, stock theft, and related crimes through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with members of the public.
