Police in Embakasi have arrested two prime suspects in connection with a wave of housebreaking and theft incidents that have plagued Utawala and nearby estates in recent weeks.
The arrests, announced by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), came after a tip-off from a local resident who reported a break-in at his rented apartment. The victim, who lives at Haiza Apartment in Utawala, returned home only to find his door forced open and valuable possessions missing.
In a swift response, detectives launched an operation to trace those behind the crime. Using forensic evidence obtained from the crime scene, investigators tracked a suspicious vehicle believed to have been used in several similar incidents. The search led them to Thogoto, a town located along the Nairobi-Ngong road.
There, police spotted the vehicle—a Mazda CX5—parked outside a popular bar. According to officers, the car had been fitted with a fake number plate (KDC 077P), concealing its actual registration number, KDD 677P. The vehicle had four occupants at the time, but as police closed in, two managed to escape on foot.
Undeterred, officers arrested the driver, identified as Kelvin Kasyoki, and his alleged accomplice, Wilson Waweru. The suspects were taken into custody and are currently being held at a local police station for further questioning.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a range of items believed to have been used in criminal activities. These included multiple fake vehicle registration numbers and alphabets printed in black on both white and yellow backgrounds, likely used to alter license plates and evade detection. Also recovered were crowbars designed for forced entry into houses and a set of master keys capable of opening vehicle doors—commonly used in sophisticated theft operations.
Police believe the recovered items tie the suspects to a wider network of organized housebreakers targeting rental properties and parked vehicles in the Utawala area.
“The swift arrests were made possible through the cooperation of the public and quick response by our officers,” said an official familiar with the investigation. “We are treating this matter with the urgency it deserves, and more arrests are expected as the probe continues.”
The DCI confirmed that both the Mazda CX5 and the seized items are being held as exhibits to be presented in court as part of the evidence against the accused.
Detectives are now intensifying their efforts to apprehend the two suspects who escaped the scene in Thogoto. Preliminary information indicates that the broader group may have operated in multiple Nairobi neighbourhoods, using forged license plates and stolen vehicles to facilitate their crimes.
The recent surge in housebreaking cases in Utawala has raised concerns among residents, many of whom have called for increased police patrols and better lighting in estates. Several victims have reported returning home to find doors broken and household electronics, cash, and personal documents stolen.
Local community policing groups have also appealed to landlords and caretakers to vet new tenants thoroughly and to install surveillance cameras to deter criminal activity.
“This incident serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in keeping our neighbourhoods safe,” said a community leader in Utawala. “We commend the police for their quick action, but we also urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities immediately.”
The suspects are expected to be charged with housebreaking, theft, possession of tools for use in crime, and conspiracy to commit a felony. If found guilty, they could face lengthy prison terms under Kenyan law.
Police have asked anyone with information about the two suspects who escaped in Thogoto to come forward. Members of the public can provide anonymous tips through the DCI hotline or visit their nearest police station.
This arrest is the latest in a series of successful operations by Embakasi detectives targeting organized crime rings. The DCI has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nairobi residents, especially those in emerging residential areas like Utawala, can live without fear of crime.
As investigations continue, authorities have vowed not to relent until all individuals involved in the housebreaking syndicate are brought to justice.
