Police in Nairobi have arrested a wanted criminal gang leader who was on the run for a long time.
In a statement released on Wednesday January 31, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said that the gang leader was the prime mover of the Siaya attack.
“Edward Wanyama Mukanga aka Ramadhan Mukanga alias Abu Naiyah, 34 was the leader of the gang and a mastermind of the Siaya attack, where a police officer was killed and another one was injured and robbed off their rifles as they escorted examination papers to Mahero Secondary School in Alego, Usonga Sub-County in Siaya County on 20th November 2023,” read the statement.
Edward was arrested while in a hideout within Nairobi’s Dandora slum on Friday 26th January 2024.
DCI Alerts the Public on the Wanted Gang Leader
Earlier, the police had published names and photos of Abu Naiyah and his associates including Edwin Omondi alias Rashid, Simon Ochieng Ouma alias Ali Baba, Salim Jackoyo, and Hasting Omondi on the media and appealed to members of the public to share any information on their whereabouts.
The National Police Service further lauded the swift action by members of the public that has so far led to the arrest of Hasting Omondi who was apprehended in Usenge Village within the Bondo area of Siaya County in December 2023.
The suspect was presented in Kahawa Law Courts on Monday 29th January 2024 where detectives were granted 25 days to complete their investigation.
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Siaya Attack on November 2023
On the morning of Monday, November 20, 2023, tragedy struck as Constable Edwin Erocho and his female colleague were ambushed while escorting examination papers to Mahero Secondary School.
The assailants brutally attacked them from behind, targeting Constable Erocho with stabbing blows to the neck, face, and chest. Tragically, Constable Erocho succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
His brave female colleague managed to escape into the nearby bushes sustaining injuries after being robbed of her rifle during the harrowing incident.
She was later found and rushed to Rwamba Hospital, subsequently transferred to Siaya Referral Hospital.
The police then initiated a mobilization effort to pursue the attackers, who reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle conveniently positioned nearby.
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The assailants’ motive behind this heinous act remained unclear as the authorities intensified their efforts to bring them to justice.
Some of those behind the attack were later trailed and killed in a police shootout in the area and the stolen weapons were recovered.
Police believed a terror cell was forming in the area and have now shifted their attention to the region.
Gang Members urged to Surrender
The National Police Service urged the remaining gang members to surrender to the nearest police station.
As the investigation progresses, the National Police Service called upon the public to continue their cooperation and share any information about the wanted individuals still at large.
At the same time, members of the public are encouraged to contact their nearest police station or use the toll-free number 0800722203 to provide any relevant details that could aid in the apprehension of these criminals.
