KITALE – A multi-agency security operation in Kitale has led to the arrest of 14 suspects believed to be part of a criminal gang terrorizing the town.

The coordinated raid, carried out by a joint security team, is part of an ongoing crackdown on organized crime in the region.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects were apprehended in a sweep across various areas, including Umoja, Kisumu Ndogo, Tuwani, Bondeni, and Mitume.

Authorities said the suspects are currently in custody for profiling and processing and are expected to be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.

The Kitale arrests come amid heightened public concern over rising crime in other parts of the country, particularly Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).

Kenyans have taken to social media to share their experiences of being mugged, drugged, and robbed in the streets of the capital, with many warning residents to be cautious, especially in the evening hours.

In response to the complaints, Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, released a statement acknowledging the issue.

He noted that the county has received reports of youths who disguise themselves as content creators in the CBD but begin to rob unsuspecting people around 5 p.m.

“They operate in large groups of 20–30 criminals, surrounding victims and robbing them of all their belongings,” Mosiria said in the statement.

He also pointed out that some street families are involved in illegal activities, including illegal waste dumping at night, which creates unsafe spaces that criminals exploit.