Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have apprehended two suspects believed to be the masterminds behind a series of robberies targeting female students at Laikipia University’s main campus in Nyahururu.
The arrest of Dennis Kariuki Mbugua and Peter Omuzee Obungo marks a crucial step in ongoing efforts to enhance security and protect students from violent crime. The investigation was initiated following numerous complaints from female victims reporting assaults and robberies near the university. These alarming incidents, which in some cases included sexual molestation, prompted local police to enlist the assistance of DCI detectives. The crimes led to a heightened sense of insecurity among students and the university community. Detectives employed sophisticated mobile phone triangulation technology to track the suspects to their hideout in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County.
DCI Mohamed Amin has confirmed the recovery of a mobile phone stolen from one of the victims during the arrest. A senior detective lauds the effectiveness of the tracking technology and praises the community’s involvement as local residents provided valuable information that aided the detectives. The investigation reveals that the suspects used the stolen phone for their communication, displaying erratic activity by frequently switching their phones on and off. This behaviour indicated an awareness of law enforcement monitoring. When the stolen phone was reactivated, it provided detectives with crucial leads to apprehend the suspects.
Female students reported that the duo would ambush them along paths frequently used by students. The suspects allegedly assaulted their victims violently, stealing valuables such as mobile phones and personal belongings. Some students recounted instances of sexual harassment preceding the robberies. The recent arrests coincide with a larger initiative by the DCI to combat various forms of crime across the country, including rampant SIM card fraud and impersonation scams. Law enforcement agencies have targeted regions such as Kiambu, Nakuru, and Makueni counties, where there has been a surge in fraudulent activities.
In a notable anti-fraud operation in the Membely area of Ruiru, Kiambu County, police recently apprehended a suspect believed to be a key figure in a phone impersonation and fraudulent SIM card registration network. Acting on tips from citizens, detectives executed a well-coordinated operation, seizing multiple SIM cards and assorted mobile devices from the suspect’s vehicle. Furthermore, investigations in Nakuru led to the arrest of a group of fraudsters posing as employees of Simba Cement. These individuals deceived unsuspecting customers with offers of discounted cement supplies, ultimately defrauding them of significant amounts.
