Police have arrested two persons of interest linked to a mobile phone theft and cyber-enabled crime syndicate in Bungoma County, recovering 73 mobile phones believed to have been stolen from members of the public.

In a statement issued on Saturday, July 4, 2026, the National Police Service (NPS) said the arrests followed weeks of investigations into a criminal network of persons of interest stealing, reprogramming and illegally reselling mobile phones within the county.

According to the NPS, detectives raided a shop in Kimilili Town where the two suspects were operating, leading to the recovery of dozens of persons of interest stolen phones and equipment believed to have been used to flash and reprogramme mobile devices.

Two Persons of interest in custody

Preliminary investigations indicate the persons of interest are part of a wider syndicate involved in mobile phone theft and related cyber-enabled crimes.

During the operation, officers recovered 73 mobile phones believed to have been stolen from members of the public, alongside equipment suspected to have been used to alter the devices before resale.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the two are part of a wider criminal network involved in the theft, reprogramming and illicit resale of stolen mobile phones within the county,” the NPS said.

The two persons of interest remain in police custody awaiting arraignment as detectives pursue additional leads to identify and arrest other members of the persons of interest criminal network.

Public urged to share information

The National Police Service called on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by reporting criminal or suspicious activities through the nearest police station or the Service’s toll-free reporting channels.

Police said public cooperation remains critical in dismantling organised criminal networks involved in phone theft and other cyber-enabled offences.

Cybersecurity efforts

The latest arrests come as the government intensifies efforts to combat cybercrime and strengthen digital security across the country.

In June 2026, Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo announced plans to operationalise the National Cybersecurity Agency following Parliament’s approval of its establishment.

According to Omollo, the agency will coordinate national cybersecurity efforts, safeguard critical information infrastructure and respond to emerging threats such as ransomware attacks, data breaches and cyber-enabled crimes.

He said the institution will also strengthen collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, universities, and international partners as Kenya seeks to bolster the security of its rapidly expanding digital economy.

The Bungoma operation underscores the growing focus by law enforcement agencies on dismantling cyber-enabled criminal networks amid increased government efforts to protect digital systems, mobile technology users and critical information infrastructure.