18 suspected members of terror gang Kamjesh arrested in Nairobi
A joint operation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Administration Police Service (APS) and the Kenya Police on Wednesday arrested 18 suspects believed to be part of an organized crime gang that mans matatu stages.
The 18 suspects, who the police believe to be members of the dreaded Kamjesh gang, were arrested in Eastliegh and Pumwani.
Police said the suspects have been illegally manning stages and engaging in organized crime.
According to the DCI, the suspects were arrested for the offence of illegally manning bus stops and committing other crimes within the sprawling estates.
ORGANIZED CRIME
“The suspects have been illegally manning stages and engaging in other organized crimes,” said the statement by the DCI.
A statement by the investigative agency on its Twitter handle confirmed the raid and subsequent arrests.
“A joint operation by DCI, AP and Kenya Police officers has resulted in the arrest of 18 suspected criminals in Eastleigh and Pumwani,” the statement read.
On the post, the DCI was optimistic on the success of the operation, terming it “a huge blow to organized crime”.
EXTORTION
Police said the suspects who were arrested on Wednesday are expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday.
Despite government crackdown, in the last few years, the illegal activities of the terror gang have continued to flourish in Nairobi, particularly through collection of millions of shillings daily from matatu operators.
For example, every evening Ronald Ngala Street next to GCHU School in Nairobi, OTC stage, Haile Selassie roundabout and Race Course Road are impassable as they are usually blocked by ‘paying’ matatus, courtesy of the organised gang.
In Nairobi, most matatu termini are also controlled by some of these youth who extort money in the guise of stage management fees.