Two suspected gang members have been arrested in Kisumu after a multi-agency security operation uncovered a homemade firearm, crude weapons, cannabis and several items resembling police and military equipment in one of their houses.
The operation on Thursday was carried out by detectives from the Operations Support Unit (OSU), the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) and the General Service Unit (GSU) Tactical Team following what the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said was credible intelligence linking the suspects to criminal activities.
The suspects were identified as Joseph Mwata Magak, alias “Boyi Sampa”, and Isaac Omondi Ojwang’.
After Magak was arrested, detectives searched his rented house in Mamboleo Pocho Estate, Kisumu, where they made a series of discoveries in the master bedroom.
The DCI described the search as opening a “Pandora’s box”, with officers recovering a homemade firearm, a bow and four arrows, a panga, a toy gun and five rolls of cannabis sativa.
Police also found a siren, a pair of police boots, six pairs of jungle-green tactical trousers, a camouflage jacket and a pair of tactical boots.
Other items recovered included a bottle of gun oil, a Kenyan flag and a Subaru front bumper.
The DCI said all the items had been secured as exhibits as detectives continued investigating the suspects and the alleged criminal activities linked to them.
Magak was also found to have an ongoing criminal case in Nakuru.
“Further investigations have established that Joseph Mwata Magak has an ongoing case of attempted robbery with violence before the Nakuru Law Courts.”
The latest arrests followed intelligence received by the multi-agency team, which then moved to locate and arrest the suspects before conducting the search that led to the recovery of the weapons, clothing and other items.
Detectives are also investigating the presence of police-related equipment among the recovered items, including the siren, boots and tactical clothing.
The investigation is expected to establish how the items came into the suspects’ possession and whether they were meant to be used in criminal activities.
The two suspects remain in custody as detectives complete investigations and prepare them for arraignment in court. The recovered items are expected to be presented as exhibits as the case proceeds.
The DCI credited members of the public for providing information that has helped security agencies identify and disrupt suspected criminal activities.
“The DCI commends members of the public who continue to provide timely and actionable intelligence, which remains a critical weapon in the fight against organised crime and in keeping communities safe,” the agency added.
The DCI urged members of the public to continue reporting suspected criminal activities.
Information can be provided anonymously through the agency’s toll-free number, 0800 722 203, or via WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.
Detectives are continuing with the investigation as they seek to establish whether the two suspects are linked to other criminal activities and the circumstances surrounding their possession of the recovered weapons and police-related equipment.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned once the investigations and processing are complete.