Detectives in Nairobi have gunned down the newly installed leader of the dreaded Katombi criminal gang that has been terrorizing city residents.
Jakande Kabende, alias Kababa, became the gang’s de facto leader following the death of the previous commander Fadhili Mgaza, who was shot dead by police in Mathare two weeks ago.
Following the killing of Mgaza, the gang linked to several incidents of violent crimes rebranded to ‘Yeyoye’ and installed Kababa as their new commander.
Kababa was shot dead on Tuesday night following a tip-off from area residents, who alerted Pangani-based detectives that two members of the gang were robbing innocent civilians at gun-point around Bondeni area in Mathare.
Detectives found the two robbing a woman when they traced them down and ordered them to surrender but the suspects opened fire at the officers.
“What followed was a fierce exchange, as the detectives responded to the thugs’ provocation,” DCI says in a report.
Following the gunfight, Kababa’s body lay lifeless in a pool of blood but his accomplice managed to flee into Mathare slums. A Webley revolver and four rounds of ammunition were recovered from the deceased.
“Tuesday’s operation completely annihilated one of the city’s notorious criminal gangs that had terrorized residents of Mathare, Pangani, and Huruma estates,” DCI adds.
In December, detectives shot dead the gang’s long-serving leader identified only as Ngaruiya. The gang had attacked pedestrians along Mau Mau road in Bondeni, Mathare sub-county before detectives swung into action.
Ngaruiya was killed on the spot but Mgaza and three others fled by swimming in a sewer line infested with raw sewage.
