Police in Lugari in collaboration with their colleagues from the Northern
corridor unit have managed to arrest a suspected ring leader of
highway robberies along Eldoret – Malaba highway.
Confirming the incident Lugari sub county police commander Patrick
Maundu said the suspect Isaac Wanjala Okumu is an ex-police officer
who was fired from the Kenya police service ten years ago over
undisclosed reasons.
The police boss said the suspect and his team have been terrorizing long distance truck drivers for a long time along the Eldoret-Webuye highway attacking them at night and stealing goods on transit.
He said the gang attacked a truck transporting dozens of motor vehicle
tyres to neighboring South Sudan after disengaging its braking
system and made away with several tyres. “They jumped on the truck as it slowed down at a bump near Chekalini at about 3:00 am and disengaged its braking system forcing the driver to stop before they looted several tyres that were on transit,” said Maundu.
He said on receiving the information, his officers responded quickly and
launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Working on a tip off, the officers raided the home of an ex-police
officer Mr. Isaac Wanjala Okumu at Mukhuyu village in Chekalini
location where they managed to recover four tyres.
According to Maundu the suspect is believed to be the leader of the
gang of about five people that have been terrorizing motorists along
the busy highway.
He said the suspect had named some of his accomplices who managed to escape.
The police boss warned that police will not tolerate robberies along
the highway adding that those who will be found should prepare to face
consequences revealing that the officers had mounted a vigil along the
highway.
