A suspected highway robbery operation targeting motorists in Garissa County has been disrupted after police and National Police Reservists moved in following a tip-off from members of the public, forcing the suspected attackers to flee and leaving behind a homemade firearm.
The operation was carried out along the Dagahaley–Mathangisi Road after police received information that armed criminals were intercepting motorists and robbing them at gunpoint.
The National Police Service (NPS) said officers, working alongside National Police Reservists (NPRs), responded to the information and launched an operation to track down the suspects.
“Police officers yesterday disrupted a suspected highway robbery operation along the Dagahaley–Mathangisi Road in Garissa County, following a tip-off from members of the public,” the NPS said.
Police said the suspects had been targeting motorists travelling along the road, raising concern over the safety of people using the route.
“Acting on this intelligence, the team, supported by National Police Reservists (NPRs), proceeded to the area and mounted an operation to track down the suspected robbers, who had been intercepting motorists and robbing them at gunpoint.”
Although the operation disrupted the alleged robbery, the suspects escaped before officers could arrest them.
Officers, however, recovered a homemade firearm believed to have been used in the robbery operation.
“The coordinated operation brought the suspected robbery to an abrupt halt, resulting in the recovery of a homemade firearm and the prevention of further attacks along the route.”
The NPS said the search for the suspects had not been called off, with officers pursuing leads to establish their identities and whereabouts.
“The search for the suspects remains ongoing, with officers pursuing all available leads to identify and apprehend those responsible.”
The incident comes as security agencies continue to step up operations against criminal gangs and robbery suspects in Garissa County.
In June, regional authorities announced intensified efforts to deal with emerging criminal gangs in the county following reports of robberies, violent attacks and other criminal activities.
The insecurity had also affected businesses, with security officials reporting that some traders were closing their businesses early because of fears over their safety.
In July, North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno said security operations targeting criminal gangs would continue until normalcy was restored in Garissa.
The crackdown targeted groups accused of subjecting residents to robberies, assaults and other violent attacks.
Police have also continued pursuing robbery suspects in the county.
In August, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said its officers had arrested a suspect in Garissa Township who was wanted over robbery with violence allegations.
The recovery of the homemade firearm also comes against the backdrop of a wider national effort by security agencies to remove illegally held weapons from circulation.
Official statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics show that 427 illegally held firearms were recovered in 2025, up from 104 recovered in 2024.
During the same period, the number of crimes reported to police declined by 5.1 per cent to 96,038 in 2025.
The firearm recovered in Garissa adds to the weapons seized by security agencies as they seek to disrupt armed criminal activity and prevent illegal firearms from being used in attacks.
The NPS has urged members of the public to continue sharing information on suspected criminal activities to help security agencies respond to emerging threats.
The service asked residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through emergency numbers 999 and 911.
Members of the public can also share information anonymously through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' Fichua kwa DCI platform on 0800 722 203 or via WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.
The police said the manhunt for the suspects involved in the suspected highway robberies would continue as officers follow available leads to identify and arrest those responsible.