Police in Meru County and Kakamega County arrested suspects involved in the illicit sale of firearms and violent crime activities. The operations, which occurred on Thursday, December 5, 2024, have brought attention to the escalating crime wave in both regions, prompting police to intensify their efforts in restoring law and order.
Arrest of Four in Meru County
In Meru County, a well-executed undercover operation by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) led to the arrest of four individuals involved in the illegal sale of firearms. The suspects were apprehended in Maua Town after negotiating a deal for the sale of two AK47 rifles.
According to police reports, the operation unfolded when undercover officers, posing as buyers, arranged to purchase the weapons. The suspects, who arrived on a motorcycle with the firearms hidden in a miraa bag, had agreed to meet at the Maili Tatu area. The price for the two rifles was set at Sh300,000, and after a brief negotiation, the suspects believed they were dealing with legitimate buyers.
However, once the deal was confirmed, the supposed buyers revealed themselves to be undercover police officers. The officers immediately ordered the suspects to lie down and surrender before arresting them. The operation resulted in the recovery of two AK47 rifles, each loaded with one bullet.
The suspects, whose identities have not been released, were arrested and taken into custody. Police have stated that the four will be arraigned in court, where an application for their detention pending further investigations will be made. The operation in Maua Town is part of a broader effort to curb the increasing crime rate in the area, particularly the growing number of robberies and violent incidents involving firearms.
A Surge in Crime in Meru
Maua Town and the broader Meru County have experienced an upsurge in violent crime, with residents voicing concerns about armed gangs that have been terrorizing locals. Reports of gunmen attacking and robbing individuals have sparked an outcry among the community, leading to the launch of multiple operations by law enforcement agencies. The arrest of the four individuals and the recovery of the firearms are seen as a significant step in addressing the issue.
Authorities have promised more operations in the area to crack down on the illegal trade of firearms and prevent further criminal activities. Local police officials have expressed their determination to restore safety to the region, citing intelligence that points to an organized network of criminals involved in arms trafficking.
Police Shoot and Kill Two Suspects in Kakamega
Meanwhile, in Matungu, Kakamega County, another operation unfolded on the same day. This operation resulted in a deadly confrontation between law enforcement officers and suspected criminals. Two individuals, believed to be part of a gang terrorizing the local community, were shot and killed by police after they attempted to engage officers in a gun battle.
The operation was a direct response to the surge in violent crimes in the area, including a series of murders and robberies between May and November 2024. Over this period, more than seven people were killed, and many others were injured or robbed by criminals operating in the region. Police intelligence had led them to a rented house in Matungu Village, where they believed the suspects were hiding.
When the suspects refused to surrender, a gunfight ensued. The two individuals were neutralized after officers cocked their rifles, signaling the end of the standoff. In the aftermath, police recovered an AK47 rifle loaded with 15 rounds of live ammunition and a Bajaj motorcycle, which is believed to belong to a police officer who was attacked by a machete-wielding gang in Butere township on November 12, 2024. The officer is currently in a coma at a Kakamega hospital.
Continuing Efforts to Combat Crime
Both operations in Meru and Kakamega highlight the increasing urgency with which local law enforcement is addressing the rise in crime. In addition to ongoing investigations, authorities are planning more operations in various mapped areas to dismantle criminal networks and restore public safety. The authorities are also focused on curbing the illegal flow of firearms into the hands of criminals, which has contributed to the surge in violent crime.
With these operations, police are sending a clear message that they are committed to tackling the issue head-on, and further arrests and recoveries of illegal weapons are expected in the coming weeks. The success of these operations is being closely monitored by the public, who are hopeful that the crackdown will lead to a decline in criminal activities in their communities.
