Detectives are currently pursuing a gang that robbed a shopkeeper of KSh 3.4 million at his wholesale shop in the Nyalenda area of Kisumu County. The victim told police that on Thursday night, three men, posing as customers, entered his shop. Two of the men then drew pistols and threatened him, ordering him to hand over all his cash. The gang made off with KSh 3.4 million, two Samsung mobile phones, and KSh 189,000 meant for his Mpesa business.
The robbers escaped on a motorcycle, headed to an unknown destination. However, hours later, one suspect was identified by witnesses and arrested for questioning. Police suspect the robbery was an inside job, given the gang’s apparent knowledge of the large sum of money in the shop. Detectives are pursuing further leads to make more arrests.
In another incident in Kigumo, Muranga, suspected thieves raided the Kanjathi Coffee Factory in the Kamukabi area. Armed with crude weapons, they broke through the factory’s main gate and attacked the guards on duty. The gang stole approximately 6,700 kilograms of cherry coffee, valued at KSh 670,000, before escaping in a waiting vehicle. The guards sustained minor injuries and were later rescued. Police are investigating the Thursday, October 3 robbery.
Meanwhile, in Maralal, Samburu County, detectives are investigating a robbery in which a businesswoman was attacked and robbed of KSh 800,000. The woman, who operates an electronics and Mpesa shop in Kisma Trading Centre, was closing her business on the night of Tuesday, October 2, when a group of six men—two armed with firearms and the others with crude weapons—forced their way in. The attackers assaulted the businesswoman and her two employees, stealing a handbag containing the cash and two mobile phones before fleeing on motorcycles. The gang fired into the air during their escape, and police believe they had prior knowledge of the money.
Authorities have expressed concern about the rising number of armed robberies, despite ongoing efforts to curb the trend. Investigations are continuing in all cases, with detectives working to apprehend the culprits and recover stolen property.