Police arrest 16 suspects, seize crude weapons in Nakuru

Police in Nakuru have intensified a crackdown on criminal gangs terrorising residents.

A Sunday night operation led to the arrest of 16 suspects linked to the recent spate of attacks on residents.

Nakuru County Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi said that the operation followed a tip-off from the public that the gang was being hosted by a woman at Rhonda Estate.

"In the residence, we found the 16 whom we believe were in the process of planning a crime. Seven of them were high school students while one was a primary school pupil," said Ndanyi.

The police boss noted that though half of the suspects were minors, their activities have been life-threatening to residents.

"The law shall take its course regardless of their age. They look young but very lethal considering the type of weapons and attacks," he said.

This comes a day after the police shot dead two suspected members of the Confirm Gang who engaged them in a shootout during a botched robbery in Lanet, Nakuru North.

Police managed to recover two toy guns, a sword, daggers, knives and 300 grams of bhang among other items during the raid.

"The operation will continue and we appreciate the support we are receiving from residents. Fighting the organised gangs requires concerted efforts from us and the community," he said.

Ndanyi said the prime suspect believed to be the financier of criminal gangs in Nakuru West was on the run.

"She is now on our radar. She should surrender to the police. The community around her has distanced itself from her over her conduct," he said.

Police said the suspects are members of Mauki Group, a splinter group from the outlawed Confirm Gang that has been terrorising residents in Nakuru West.

"We assure the residents that we shall keep information volunteered to us on organised criminal gangs secret. We are determined to curtail their activities and existence amidst us," he said.

On Saturday night, two gangsters escaped death narrowly after two of their accomplices were gunned down in an attempted robbery in Lanet, Nakuru North.

Nakuru North sub county police boss Mwangi Ng'ang'a said that they are pursuing the suspects who fled.