A coordinated intelligence-led operation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has led to the arrest of three key suspects behind a brutal wave of armed robberies targeting high-end wines and spirits outlets across Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties.

In a major breakthrough against organized urban crime, a specialized joint team of detectives has dismantled a notorious criminal syndicate that has relentlessly terrorized liquor store owners across the Nairobi metropolitan area. The suspects, who operated with chilling military precision, were finally cornered following days of intense surveillance, marking an end to a violent spree that left a trail of property damage, heavy financial losses, and murder.

The arrests arrive amid a deeply concerning surge in robbery-with-violence incidents specifically targeting the lucrative alcoholic beverage sector. For months, heavily armed gangs have exploited the late operating hours of these establishments, utilizing extreme violence and cross-border escape tactics to outmaneuver local law enforcement. The successful apprehension of these operatives represents a critical victory in restoring security to the beleaguered retail sector.

The Dragnet Closes In

According to an extensive operational report released by the DCI, the meticulously planned raid was executed following actionable intelligence that pinpointed the gang's movements. The dragnet was first sprung in the bustling neighborhood of Ngara, where detectives pounced on two primary enforcers of the syndicate: Edward Muchiri Mureithi, alias "Kazee," and Stephen Mwenda Ndung'u, alias "Stevoo." Known for executing violent night raids, the duo attempted a desperate escape but were swiftly subdued by the heavily armed officers.

In the ensuing chaos of their arrest, the suspects abandoned a black Toyota Harrier (registration KDS 791A), which detectives immediately impounded as a crucial forensic exhibit. Refusing to let the momentum wane, the operational team rapidly redeployed to Njiru Makongeni, where they successfully apprehended a third accomplice, Martin Ndung'u Wangui. Believed to be the syndicate's primary getaway driver, his arrest yielded a black Toyota Noah (KCY 982C), whose interior still carried the pungent stench of freshly spilled stolen alcohol.

The investigation reveals a highly sophisticated modus operandi designed to frustrate police tracking. The gang specialized in striking around 1:00 AM, utilizing brute force and crude weapons to overpower private security guards before restraining them with sisal ropes. By repeatedly crossing county borders immediately after a heist, the syndicate successfully exploited jurisdictional blind spots until the specialized DCI unit intervened.

The Mastermind's Lair

Following the initial arrests, the operation aggressively pivoted to Mugutha in Ruiru, zeroing in on the suspected hideout of the gang's elusive mastermind, identified as Peter Muhia Njenga. Although Njenga managed to evade the immediate police dragnet—reportedly slipping away through a camouflaged opening in his wooden house—detectives executed a comprehensive search warrant that unearthed a treasure trove of incriminating evidence linking the gang to multiple felonies.

The expansive search of the Mugutha compound revealed the true, staggering scale of the syndicate's looting spree. The recoveries made by the forensics team included:

• Stolen Merchandise: Scattered empty cartons and intact boxes of premium liquor brands, providing undeniable evidence of massive, systematic theft.
• Vehicular Evidence: Car seats violently ripped from the seized Toyota Noah, alongside a suspicious alternative number plate (KCV 342G) used to disguise getaway vehicles.
• Burglary Paraphernalia: Sophisticated break-in tools and sisal bags specifically customized for rapidly hauling heavy liquor bottles.
• CCTV Matches: A distinct hoodie that perfectly matched the clothing worn by an assailant captured on security footage during a recent robbery in Kilimani.
• Livestock: Bizarrely, a herd of 25 bulls suspected to have been stolen and stashed awaiting illegal sale, currently held at Ruai Police Station.

A Trail of Violence

The severity of the charges facing the apprehended suspects extends far beyond mere theft. Investigators have directly linked the syndicate to a horrific incident in February 2025, where the gang brutally beat a security guard to death while raiding a liquor store in Juja. Consequently, the suspects are slated to face a litany of charges, including robbery with violence and murder.

Furthermore, records indicate that the fugitive mastermind, Njenga, and another suspect previously met while serving time as remandees at Meru GK Prison for separate murder and robbery charges, highlighting a deeply entrenched cycle of recidivism within the penal system.

"The suspects, who operated with military precision, were finally cornered after days of intense surveillance and coordinated intelligence work," the DCI affirmed, issuing a stern warning that the manhunt for the remaining kingpin will not cease until he is brought to justice.