Police officers in Eldoret are holding three people believed to be behind a recent wave of robberies targeting MPesa shops within the town.
The three were arrested on Thursday in the Kipkenyo area on the outskirts of Eldoret town following what the Uasin Gishu County security team say was a collaboration between them and members of the public.
In a media briefing at the Central Police Station on December 23, 2022, Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale said during the operation, they recovered 3 AK-47 rifles and eight rounds of ammunition.
Dr Nyale says they believe the suspects have been involved in the recent incidences in which a Mpesa shop in Annex estate and another one within the town Centre were robbed.
The county security boss also said the three might be involved in the wave of car theft cases that have been reported within the county.
“We also found them with a list of motor vehicle registration numbers, logbooks and other electronics,” said Dr Nyale.
Middle-aged
Jungle uniforms and arrows were also recovered from the hideout that the suspects led the police to.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Ayub Gitonga Ali on his part said the culprits are all middle-aged men aged between 26 and 43 years.
Ali noted that they have already launched an interrogation aimed at gathering more information from the suspects that they hope will unearth some of the criminal activities they have been involved in.
“They are all residents of Uasin Gishu County. We are yet to identify the source of the AK-47s they had but they have interfered with their serial numbers,” said the county police boss.
The three have since been arraigned in court, and the police granted permission to hold them for 14 more days.
This is to allow detectives time to finalize their investigations before they charge them.
Security assured
But even as the police investigate the three, the county security team has assured members of the public of enhanced security during this festive season.
The County Commissioner who doubles up as the Security Committee chairperson said they have already deployed more police officers that will be involved in enhanced patrols across.
Similar sentiments were shared by the County Police Commander.
“We’re on top of things this festive season and we will ensure people living their houses will come back to find them safe,” said Ali.
