The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday, September 5, 2025, announced that a multi-agency operation in Malindi had successfully netted eight individuals of interest believed to be part of an organised gang that has long troubled residents of the coastal town.
According to the DCI, the operation targeted groups linked to insecurity and illegal activities in the area.
The coordinated move was led by specialised teams working alongside other security agencies.
“A multi-agency operation in Malindi to root out organised criminal gangs culminated in the arrest of a dreaded gang leader,” the DCI statement read in part.
Following the arrest of the feared gang leader, detectives were guided to two locations within the Maweni area, where seven more individuals of interest were flushed out.
Security agencies described the group as hardened elements of a gang that has for years been feared by locals for violent activities.
The agency noted that in one of the latest incidents attributed to the group, an attempted robbery turned bloody when one of the individuals of interest sustained serious injuries during the confrontation.
The injured person was later admitted to a local hospital, with authorities confirming the incident as further evidence of the group’s dangerous operations.
Detectives investigate murder of hospital staff in Eldoret. Image used for representation purposes only.
The DCI confirmed that all eight individuals of interest are now in custody.
They are currently undergoing profiling and processing, after which they will be presented in court. Investigations remain ongoing to establish the full extent of their activities and links to other networks.
Police vow sustained nationwide crackdown on gangs
The operation is part of wider security crackdowns being rolled out across the country to dismantle criminal gangs and restore safety for residents.
“The National Police Service remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard life and property, with sustained crackdowns on criminal gangs underway across the country,” the DCI statement concluded.
Residents of Malindi have welcomed the operation, with many saying the move will help restore peace in neighbourhoods that had long lived in fear of gang-related violence.
Security agencies have urged the public to continue sharing information to help stamp out organised crime in the region.
