Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), in collaboration with the Kenya Police Service (KPS) and Administration Police Service (APS), have apprehended a person of interest linked to crime across Mutuati, Laare, Maua, and the wider Igembe region in Meru County.

Confirming the arrest on their social media handle on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the DCI has said that the person of interest immediately returned to criminal activity, arming himself with an illegal firearm and recruiting accomplices to carry out a series of robberies.

“Fresh out of prison after serving 15 years for murdering his own brother, the suspect wasted no time. He armed himself with an illegal firearm, recruited criminal gangs (some already in custody, others still being pursued), and brazenly threatened to shoot anyone who dared challenge him in the Kabachi area,” DCI noted.

Joint operation leads to seizure of weapons

The DCI has further noted that, acting on detailed intelligence, the joint police team launched a swift operation that led to the arrest. During questioning, the DCI’s statement showed that he had told police where to find a gun with six rounds of 9 mm ammunition hidden in a nearby miraa plantation just a few metres from his home.

The recovered weapon and ammunition have been secured as exhibits and are being sent to the National Police Forensic Laboratory for full ballistic examination.

Facing serious charges

The DCI has confirmed that the person of interest will stay in jail and face serious charges, such as armed robbery, illegal possession of a gun, and threats to kill.

The investigative agency says that they are still looking into the gun’s origins, the supply chain for the ammunition, and the arrest of all remaining accomplices. They have also promised to break up the criminal networks one piece at a time so that the community can live without fear.

The DCI has asked people to call hotline numbers to report any suspicious activity, and they promise that all informants will stay anonymous.

The agency says that keeping an eye on your neighbours is still an important way to keep Kenyans safe.