A Kerugoya court has granted police permission to keep four robbery suspects in custody for another six days pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
In orders issued on Wednesday, Kerugoya Principal Magistrate Charity Kipkorir Cheruto stated that the prosecution had persuaded the court to detain the suspects.
The four are now being held at the Kerugoya police station until next Monday.
The four defendants, James Murimi, Paul Macharia, Violet Wangechi, and Jackline Nyakio, were caught on CCTV terrorizing Kerugoya residents on Monday night.
The now-viral CCTV video captured the suspects viciously attacking two men with one of the suspects seen leg-sweeping them before the others joined in and robbed them of unknown valuables.
Detectives from Kerugoya police station said the four robbery with violence suspects were arrested in separate locations. The two ladies and one man were arrested at Kimuri estate while the fourth suspect was arrested in Karia village.
The latest incident comes amid growing concerns about rising insecurity in the area, with police officers stating in July that they were pursuing members of a gang that had been terrorizing locals.
Kirinyaga Central Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Ndege said this follows concerns over rising cases of insecurity.
“We have several crime reports from locals in trading centres along Ngorano, Kianjege, Mukinduri, Njegas, Kiamuthambi, Mutitu and Kagumo among others,” police said.
Residents said the gang has been targeting shops and businesses in the area, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
“The gang moves around in different vehicles. Sometimes, they use their vehicles to break locks by pulling off the chains,” Paul Munene, a trader, said.
They lauded officers from Mutitu police post for their prompt response whenever they’re called.
“Our officers have been responding immediately. We urge them to conduct more patrols in order to tame the gang,” another added.
