Police in Kakamega have captured two robbery suspects suspected of carrying out countless robberies in Kakamega, Vihiga, and Uasin-Gishu counties.
Patrick Mangale, 30, and Denis Indeche, 24, were apprehended on Monday by officers disguised as jua kali traders following a chase that culminated at the river Lwatingu, where the main suspect is reported to have jumped into the river to escape the sleuths.
According to a DCI statement, Mangale then led the authorities to a toilet at his property in Lower Tingu, Mugulu district, where a firearm allegedly taken from a police officer was retrieved from a pit latrine.
"The detectives also impounded a red motorbike with the registration number KMGG 124M, which is believed to have been the gang's escape vehicle," according to a portion of the statement.
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According to DCI, the duo attacked a senior DCI officer posted at the Kakamega North headquarters on April 9 and hacked his head numerous times, knocking him unconscious and stealing his handgun.
"The officer had just returned home from an assignment in Nairobi around 3 a.m. when the thugs on a motorbike accosted him at his gate," DCI added.
"They descended on him with a machete, inflicting several severe wounds on his head before fleeing into the darkness with his loaded Jericho pistol."
The pair is claimed to have abandoned their machete and gone on a robbery rampage targeting Mpesa outlets and gas stations.
They have also been linked to another incident on April 11, in which a gas station in Shibuli shopping mall was attacked and seized an unknown quantity of money.
"Two days later, the suspects attacked agold trader in Lwanugu village and stole Sh55,000, 8 grams of gold, mobile phones, and other valuables," according to DCI.
The suspects are believed to have robbed a Mpesa shop in Maragoli's Mudete market at about 10 p.m. on April 20 and fled with an unidentified sum of money and mobile phones.
According to DCI, the pair fled to different counties after learning that a search had been initiated against them.
The two are also accused of hurting two innocent citizens who were shot in the wrists and legs during a raid on a shop in Elgon View estate in Eldoret.
Meanwhile, the accused are being kept at the Kakamega police station pending further questioning.
