A notorious gang that has terrorized Mtwapa residents is behind bars tonight after elite detectives stormed their hideout in Vipingo, Kilifi South, in a clinically executed dawn operation.

The arrest of the "Vipingo Six" offers a rare glimpse into the anatomy of coastal crime syndicates. Armed with Somali swords and operating with impunity, these gangs have held the tourism hub hostage, but their capture signals a renewed state offensive against violent robbery. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) hailed the operation as a major victory in the war to reclaim the Coast from criminal elements.

The Raid Unfolds

The operation was triggered by intelligence reports following a violent robbery in Mtwapa on January 28, 2026. Detectives tracked the suspects to a safe house in Vipingo, striking before the gang could disperse. The initial raid netted three key suspects: Mustafa Majeza Juma, Bubbline Kitsao Kazungu, and Abdul Mwatondo Matano. They were caught unawares, their safe haven turned into a trap.

But the detectives were not done.Under interrogation, the trio cracked, leading officers to a second hideout where three more accomplices—Swale Mwarauka, Mohammed Juma, and Hamisi Rama—were apprehended. The seamless coordination suggests a new level of sophistication in police intelligence gathering, utilizing digital footprints and community tips to dismantle the network piece by piece.

Tools of Terror

A search of the hideouts revealed the gang’s arsenal and the spoils of their crimes. The recovery of eight national identity cards belonging to different people paints a chilling picture of the number of victims who have fallen prey to this group. Also recovered were:

• Weapons of War: Two Somali swords and two pangas, the signature weapons used to maim and intimidate victims during home invasions.
• Stolen Tech: Six mobile phones, likely snatched from terrified residents during the January 28 robbery.
• Drugs: 18 large rolls of cannabis sativa, pointing to a nexus between drug trafficking and violent crime.
• Evidence: A cash bail receipt in the name of Mustafa Majeza Juma, linking him to a previous robbery with violence case and confirming him as a repeat offender who had jumped bail.

All six suspects are now being held at Mtwapa Police Station under custodial orders. As they await their day in court, the residents of Mtwapa can sleep a little easier, knowing that the men who turned their nights into nightmares are finally in chains.