Criminal Detectives on Saturday 1st February arrested three notorious robbery suspects who have terrorized Gem Yala Sub- County and its surrounding areas in a string of violent attacks form a while leaving multiple people dead and others seriously injured.
According to the police, the suspects, Otieno Albert, Farid Kimutai, and John Okumu, were involved in several violent robberies including the murder of security officers and burglary in business establishments. It is not hard to imagine the fear that the local population especially businesspeople went through in the month of January when these events were happening.
In a detailed report published by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the trio raided a hardware and timber store on January 3, 2025, around Ulumbi Junction located on the Kisumu-Busia highway. They pried open the doors and viciously overpowered the watchman, Jesse Kalasinga, who was 40 years old before robbing multiple hardware items from the store.
The group furthered their criminal endeavors at the Nyang’oma Market on January 20, 2025. While looting, they tampered with a local transformer causing the entire area to be engulfed in darkness. Adding to this heinous act, the workers P Absalom Sande and F. Nyambese were both 29 and 42 years of age, respectively, after being overpowered. From the phone accessories shop, they managed to flee with three smartphones, a Dell laptop, and a slew of other valuables.
On January 29, 2025, the suspects changed their focus to Yala Market. Guard Jesse Otieno 35, and Edward Ochieng 40. With increasing fortitude, they vandalized a section of the store while taking valuable merchandise, smartphones, and airtime scrape cards.
https://twitter.com/DCI_Kenya/status/1885640992369320015
The detectives have promised citizens that every effort is being made to locate any remaining accomplices who are on the run. In the meantime, the police have called on the public to be on high alert and report any unusual activities that might assist in breaking up the syndicates.
The businesspeople as well as the residents of Gem Yala have renewed hope because of the arrests, most of whom were living in constant fear due to the rampant violent attacks. The suspects will face several counts, including armed robbery, murder, and wanton destruction of property.
