Four carjackers were on Tuesday 20 charged with robbery with violence at the Makueni Law Court.
In a statement on February 21, the National Police Service (NPS) said the suspects namely George Maloba Osokho, Martin Nyamai, Edward Rogova Mudachi and Morris Muli Lumumba members of a part of a suspected gang.
The four were arrested at Kitui Kwa Vonza area on January 14 following theft of a motor vehicle in Machakos.
According to the NPS, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had requested for Production Order for the suspects to be charged for the offence of murder and robbery in Kathonzweni, Makueni.
“They pleaded not guilty, and all were remanded at Makueni Main Prison,” read the statement in part.
NPS further said the cases are pending before Courts in Makueni and Machakos.
Investigations on the Carjackers
Investigations also suggest that they are part of a syndicate operating between Nairobi, Mlolongo, Machakos, Makueni and across the Kenya-Tanzania border where stollen, robbed, hired vehicles are sold or disposed of.
“Their strategies include hiring of vehicles for weddings/engagements from companies, never to return the vehicles,” added the statement.
Besides, investigation revealed that the suspects have a previous criminal record of October 28, 2023, within Kwa Kathoka area in Makueni County.
They were charged at Machakos Law Courts for robbery with violence.
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DCI Warning
The DCI on February 16 cautioned taxi operators to be wary of an ongoing trend by criminal syndicates that are hiring taxi services for either long distances or trips.
According to DCI, the criminals pose as rich customers only to turn violent robbers along the way.
“The “customer” negotiates with the taxi driver on the charges for the trip, and while on the way communicates with one or more accomplices who will be conveniently waiting along the route,” said DCI.
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DCI explained that the drivers always fall victims and let new passengers onboard since the “customer” promises extra inconvenience fee for the stops.
Besides, the route or destinations picked will usually have secluded areas, where the gangs turn against the drivers, robs them off their vehicles and at times murder them in cold blood.