A fresh police operation has led to the arrest of three more suspects believed to be behind the armed robbery at Chaiiwali Restaurant in Nairobi's Westlands, with detectives also recovering two loaded firearms that are now expected to play a key role in the ongoing investigation.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspects were tracked down during an intelligence-led operation carried out by detectives from its headquarters after receiving information that members of the gang had gone into hiding in an apartment in Githurai Mwiki, Kiambu County.
According to the agency, the suspects tried to flee moments before their arrest after spotting the detectives. They allegedly attempted to escape through the rear of the apartment building by climbing down from the sixth floor.
"Sensing the detectives' presence, the trio attempted a dramatic escape through the rear of the building by climbing down from the sixth floor. Their bid for freedom was, however, cut short after alert members of the public raised the alarm, enabling detectives to swiftly apprehend them," the agency said.
The arrested suspects were identified as Edison Mukama, also known as Musa Abdul, a 22-year-old Rwandan national, Adens Kikanga, 25, and John Njuguna Githinji, 25.
Detectives said a woman believed to have been working with the suspects managed to escape during the operation and is still being sought.
Police later searched a house linked to the suspects in the Manguo area of Githurai Kimbo, where they recovered two loaded firearms.
The recovered weapons included a Mini Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of 9mm ammunition and a Retay Falcon pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Preliminary investigations have connected the suspects to the July 4 robbery at Chaiiwali Restaurant along General Mathenge Road in Westlands. During the incident, armed men reportedly stormed the restaurant, robbed customers of mobile phones and other valuables, fired shots into the air and escaped on motorcycles.
The DCI said the recovered firearms will be subjected to forensic analysis at the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory to establish whether they were used during the Chaiiwali robbery or in any other violent crimes.
The three suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. Detectives said efforts are ongoing to trace the remaining members of the gang and dismantle the wider criminal network believed to be behind the robbery.