Arrest of Notorious Robbery Suspect as Detectives Recover Stolen G3 Rifle

Detectives in Kisumu County have arrested a suspected serial robbery suspect and recovered a G3 rifle believed to have been used in a string of violent robberies across Kisumu and Kakamega counties.

The operation was carried out by officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) working alongside the Operations Directorate from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters. Authorities say the suspect, whose identity remains withheld pending an identification parade, is in custody and undergoing processing ahead of arraignment.

Rifle Linked to Nyalenda Police Base Raid

Investigators have confirmed that the recovered G3 rifle is one of the two firearms stolen during the February 27, 2026 attack on Nyalenda Police Patrol Base in Kisumu. During that brazen raid, several police officers and a civilian were injured, and two loaded G3 rifles were stolen.

The recovery of the weapon is being viewed as a significant breakthrough in investigations into the attack, which had raised serious concerns about the security of police installations in the region.

Detectives are still pursuing the second missing firearm and other suspects believed to be part of the gang.

Arena Phase 4 Robbery in Kisumu Central

The suspect has been linked to a robbery that occurred on March 17, 2026, at around 9:48 p.m. in Arena Phase 4 Estate, Kisumu Central Sub-County.

According to investigators, the gang armed with the recovered G3 rifle, a panga, and other crude weapons stormed a business premises and made away with a television set, a woofer system, computers, mobile phones, and other valuables. They reportedly escaped using a waiting motor vehicle.

Authorities recovered a motor vehicle registration number KDH 812L, believed to have been used as the getaway car during the robbery.

Duka Moja Robbery in Kakamega South

In a separate incident on March 9, 2026, the suspect and two accomplices allegedly carried out a robbery at Duka Moja Shopping Centre in Kakamega South Sub-County.

Riding on a motorcycle and armed with a firearm and crude weapons, the trio is said to have stormed a business premises and stolen cash, a laptop, and several mobile phones before fleeing the scene.

Kajulu Incident: Gunshot to Break In

Detectives have further linked the group to another robbery in Kajulu, Kisumu East Sub-County. In that case, the suspects reportedly used the same rifle to fire a shot at a shop door to force entry.

After gaining access, they allegedly stole money, mobile phones, and other valuables before escaping on a motorcycle fitted with a concealed number plate a tactic often used to evade identification.

Wider Criminal Network Under Investigation

Authorities believe the gang was involved in multiple violent crimes in February 2026, including the attack on Nyalenda Police Patrol Base.

The coordinated investigations that led to the suspect’s arrest involved intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and surveillance operations. Detectives say efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accomplices and dismantle the wider criminal network.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue, with law enforcement agencies confident that further arrests and recoveries will follow.