Nairobi, Kenya: There was drama at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Saturday when three suspected thugs were arrested and Sh400,000 of Sh2 million they had robbed from a Sacco in Mombasa recovered from them.
Police say the gang had stormed into the Sacco offices in Mombasa hours earlier on Saturday evening before some of them rushed to the airport and boarded a plane that was destined for Nairobi.
Upon arrival at JKIA, the gang with other passengers were shocked to find armed police officers waiting for them on the runway.
Witnesses who included the passengers said the officers ordered the plane be tagged away from the rest and searched it for hours before detaining the three.
The witnesses said the plane was literally surrounded by armed officers in the two hours drama.
The officers later recovered a bag that had Sh400,000 in cash. The suspects were later flown back to Mombasa with their heist.
Mombasa County police boss Robert Kitur said the gang had stormed into the offices and grabbed Sh2 million before they sped off.
“We are looking for more suspects in connection with the incident. There were recoveries and we are looking for more of the cash that was stolen,” said Kitur.
Witnesses said the three suspects arrived in the plane late after the rest had settled on their seats before they took off from Mombasa.
Initially, police thought the gang had flown with their guns from Mombasa but they did not find any weapon on them.
“I did not understand how they were allowed to come in late because we were almost leaving when they came in,” said a witness who did not want to be named.
Police and airport officials said they are investigating the claims the gang may have received favours by being allowed to walk into the plane late.
