Police in Kisumu have arrested a suspected gang member and seized an assortment of crude weapons, cannabis, military-style gear and training materials in an intelligence-led operation targeting organised criminal groups.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspect, 34-year-old Franklin Okungu, alias “Ninjaman”, was arrested in Kondele while travelling in a white Toyota Axio, registration number KCZ 808K.
The operation brought together officers from the DCI, Administration Police Service and General Service Unit as detectives moved against suspected gang members and their associates.
According to the DCI, Okungu is linked to Oliver Jaoko, alias “Olivetti”, whom detectives have previously identified as a suspected gang leader.
After his arrest, Okungu allegedly led officers to his home in Manyatta, where detectives carried out a search and recovered several items suspected to be connected to gang activities.
Among the exhibits were pouches containing arrows, three machetes and a customised club fitted with a metal casing and screw-gear head. Officers also recovered two military-pattern jungle ground sheets, a red beret, tactical clothing and a black military-style helmet.
The search further yielded 16 Cannabis Sativa-infused cookies, commonly known as weed cookies, as well as bhang.
Detectives also found a diary containing handwritten notes on tactics and techniques, training manuals and other materials described by police as warfare-related.
The DCI said Crime Scene Investigators from the Nyanza Region processed the scene, while an inventory of the recovered items was prepared and signed by the suspect.
“Preliminary investigations have established that Okungu was an instructor within an outfit known as ‘American Marines’, reportedly associated with Oliver Jaoko. He is alleged to have trained members of the outfit in the handling of swords, pangas and machetes, as well as karate and other combat techniques.”
Police said the group initially consisted of bouncers and other young people who were mobilised and hired for different assignments before later developing into a group known as the “Summit Gang”.
The arrest comes as security agencies step up efforts to break up criminal networks operating in Kisumu and stop the use of unregulated groups, commonly referred to as goons, during political gatherings.
In July, the Kisumu County Security Committee announced measures aimed at dismantling criminal gangs and preventing their use in political activities. The move followed a series of incidents that raised concern over organised violence in the county, including deadly clashes reported in the Milimani area in July.
Security officials subsequently warned that both criminal groups and individuals financing them would be pursued and face legal action.
The County Assembly of Kisumu has also listed American Marines among four organised criminal gangs operating in the county. The other groups identified in its security report were China Squad, Mbogi and Swat.
The report identified organised gang violence, drug trafficking and extortion as some of the main security concerns in parts of Kisumu.
Police have conducted several other operations targeting suspected gangs in the county in recent months.
In August, the DCI reported the arrest of 15 suspected gang members and the recovery of crude weapons after detectives intercepted three vehicles along the Kisumu-Kericho Highway. Jaoko, whom police identified as the suspected leader of the group, allegedly escaped by jumping through a vehicle window.
In another operation in August, detectives arrested two suspected gang members in Kisumu and recovered a homemade firearm, bow and arrows, a panga, cannabis, police equipment and tactical clothing.
Okungu is being processed for arraignment and is expected to face several charges, including robbery with violence under Section 296(2) of the Penal Code.
He is also expected to be charged with possession of public stores, possession of property suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained, possession of narcotic drugs and participation in organised criminal activity.
The DCI has urged Kisumu residents to continue sharing information that could help police identify and disrupt criminal gangs.
Members of the public can provide information anonymously through the DCI toll-free number 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp number 0709 570 000.