A suspect linked to a series of recent violent robberies in Garissa Township has been arrested following an intelligence-led police operation as security agencies intensify efforts to identify and apprehend those behind the attacks.
The National Police Service (NPS) said officers arrested the suspect on Monday after following leads gathered through investigations and intelligence collection. The suspect, who was wanted over offences committed within Garissa Township, is being held in police custody and is expected to be taken to court to face charges.
In an X update on Tuesday, the NPS said the arrest followed sustained efforts by officers to establish the identities and whereabouts of people believed to be behind the recent robberies.
“Police officers in Garissa have been conducting thorough investigations, pursuing leads, and gathering intelligence to identify and locate those responsible for the recent violent robberies in the area,” the NPS said.
The Service said officers moved in after receiving actionable intelligence that helped them trace the suspect.
“Yesterday, these efforts yielded results when officers, acting on actionable intelligence, tracked down and arrested a suspect in Garissa County.”
The suspect remains in custody pending arraignment.
“The individual, who was wanted in connection with offences committed within Garissa Township, is currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court to face relevant charges.”
The arrest comes at a time when residents and businesses in Garissa Town have raised concern over a rise in criminal activity, including robberies, phone snatching and attacks linked to criminal groups.
In June, reports from Garissa indicated that knife-wielding gangs had been involved in a number of armed robberies, with some groups allegedly setting up illegal roadblocks at night to extort residents. The security concerns reportedly led some businesses to close earlier than usual.
Police stepped up operations again in July following reports of phone snatching and robberies involving suspects using motorbikes.
During one of the operations, detectives arrested a 21-year-old man who was wanted in connection with two robbery-with-violence cases. He was tracked down to the Bulla Medina area of Garissa Township.
The county has also featured in recent court cases involving serious crimes. In June, three suspects were charged at the Garissa Law Courts with robbery with violence and abduction over an alleged incident in Garissa Township.
The latest arrest comes against a wider national crime picture that shows robbery remains a concern despite an overall drop in reported offences.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that 3,261 robbery cases were reported in Kenya in 2025, down from 3,642 cases in 2024 and 3,988 in 2023.
The total number of reported crimes also fell from 101,220 in 2024 to 96,038 in 2025.
However, the KNBS figures showed a different trend in Garissa, with the Garissa police command recording the highest percentage increase in reported crimes among police commands in 2025. Reported crimes in the command rose by 32.4 percent.
The NPS said investigations into the Garissa robberies are continuing as officers pursue more leads and seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
“The National Police Service remains steadfast in its commitment to tackling crime, safeguarding the public, and ensuring that offenders are held fully accountable under the law.”
The Service also called on residents to work with security agencies by sharing information that could help investigators identify suspects, prevent further attacks and improve security in the area.
“The Service also urges members of the public to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information that may assist in enhancing security, apprehending criminals, and protecting communities from potential threats.”
Residents can report criminal or suspicious activity at the nearest police station or through the toll-free numbers 999 and 911.
Information can also be provided through the DCI's Fichua Kwa DCI platform on 0800 722 203 or through WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.