KISUMU, Kenya — Fifteen people suspected of belonging to a criminal gang have been arrested in Kisumu County after detectives intercepted three vehicles carrying crude weapons along the Kisumu–Kericho highway.
The arrests followed intelligence received by police that a group suspected to be armed with crude weapons was travelling along the highway, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Detectives from the DCI Operations Support Unit (OSU), working with officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) in the Nyanza region and DCI Kisumu Central, moved to intercept the vehicles.
The suspects were travelling in a grey Toyota Noah, registration KCR 790A, and two white Toyota Hiace vans, registration numbers KDM 377M and KDE 819U.
The two vans were identified by detectives as vehicles operating under Nyakija Classic Shuttle along the Kisumu–Migori route.
A search of the vehicles and the suspects led to the recovery of several items that detectives believe could have been intended for criminal activities.
Among the exhibits were machetes, pangas, knives, ropes and a metal rod or club, as well as several mobile phones.
The DCI said the weapons were recovered during what it described as a coordinated intelligence-led operation aimed at disrupting the suspected criminal network before it could carry out an attack.
However, the exact criminal activity the suspects allegedly intended to undertake had not been disclosed.
As detectives carried out the operation, one of the suspects allegedly made a dramatic escape.
The suspect, identified by the DCI as Oliver Jaoko, alias Oliveti, is believed by investigators to have been leading the group.
According to the DCI, Jaoko escaped by jumping through a vehicle window as the operation unfolded.
Detectives have since launched a search for him as investigations into the suspected gang continue.
The 15 arrested suspects were taken into custody alongside the recovered exhibits and are undergoing processing ahead of their expected arraignment.
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Police did not disclose the specific charges the suspects are expected to face.
The arrests underscore the increasing reliance by investigators on intelligence gathering to identify and disrupt suspected criminal networks before they carry out attacks.
The DCI said the operation demonstrated the National Police Service’s determination to keep suspected criminals and weapons off the streets and protect members of the public.
The agency did not provide details on whether the suspects had previously been linked to other crimes or whether investigators were pursuing additional members of the alleged gang.
With the suspected leader still at large, detectives are expected to focus on tracing his whereabouts and establishing the wider network behind the group.
All 15 suspects remain innocent until proven guilty in court.
