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.
The Lugari Sub County Police Commander (SCPC), Patrick Maundu said the suspect, Isaac Okumu is an ex-police officer who was fired from the Kenya police service ten years ago under unclear circumstances.
The police boss said the suspect and his gang have been terrorizing long distance truck drivers for a long time along the Eldoret-Webuye highway by attacking them at night and stealing goods on transit.
He said the gang attacked a truck transporting dozens of motor vehicle tyres to neighbouring 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.
Following a tip off from the public, the officers raided the home of an ex-police officer Isaac Okumu at Mukhuyu village in Chekalini location where they managed to recover four tyres.
The SCPC said the suspect is believed to be the leader of the gang of about five people that have been terrorising motorists along the busy highway. He said the suspect had named some of his accomplices who managed to escape.
Maundu warned that police will not tolerate robberies along the highway adding that his officers had mounted 24-hour patrols along the highway.
By Sammy Mwibanda
