The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has arrested three suspects believed to be part of a notorious highway robbery gang terrorizing truck drivers along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway. The targeted operation occurred in the Mbarikani area following a tip-off from the public. Recovered items connect them to several reported robberies.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives from Rabai sub-county have arrested three suspects connected to a notorious highway robbery gang that has been terrorizing truck drivers along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway. In a statement, the DCI said, “Detectives from Rabai Sub-County have arrested three suspects connected to a notorious highway robbery gang that has been terrorising truck drivers along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.”
The arrest followed a targeted operation in the Mbarikani area after a tip-off from members of the public. Police recovered foreign currency, two pairs of military boots, 14 rolls of bhang, 32 pieces of mug glass, mobile phone chargers, two bales of carrier bags, and an HCL computer keyboard. These items have been identified in several robbery cases reported at a nearby police station, implicating the suspects in unlawful activities along the highway.
The trio is allegedly linked to a larger network conducting robberies near the Bonje area in Mazeras township, primarily targeting truck drivers. They are currently in custody as investigations continue. The recovered goods are secured and will serve as exhibits in court following their arraignment.
Motorists on the highway have voiced concerns over persistent gang attacks, which remain a major security issue. The criminals employ tactical methods to intercept long-distance trucks in isolated stretches. For instance, in June 2025, a gang hijacked a truck transporting gypsum boards; one member dashed into the road, forcing the driver to swerve before abducting him and his crew. The truck was later found empty of its cargo. In the same month, a five-person gang stopped a lorry in the Thangeni area near Kibwezi after the driver slowed for speed bumps, stealing over 500 bags of rice. The vehicle was abandoned at a nearby shopping centre.
These gangs have evolved their tactics, including posing as police officers without reflector jackets and using fake police flags to halt vehicles before robbing them. Other methods involve placing obstacles like stones on the road to force drivers to slow down, or pretending to be stranded passengers to gain entry before revealing their intent.