Nairobi: Four Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested, Guns and Ammo Seized in Major DCI Operation
In a major security breakthrough, four armed robbery with violence suspects—including three Ugandan nationals and a Kenyan—were arrested in a carefully coordinated police operation across Nairobi estates on Thursday, May 22. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that the suspects were apprehended in Dandora, Saika, Pumwani, and Huruma after a trail of violent robberies in Nairobi and parts of Western Kenya triggered an urgent manhunt.
According to a statement from the DCI, the suspects were part of a highly organized criminal gang involved in a series of coordinated armed robberies. The gang had reportedly been terrorizing residents and business owners using illegal firearms and ammunition, prompting an intensive investigation by the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
Firearms and Ammunition Recovered in Nairobi Sting Operation
The operation, spearheaded by the DCI’s elite Operation Action Team in collaboration with the Intelligence Bureau, led to the recovery of three illegal firearms, including two pistols and one AK-47 assault rifle, alongside 50 rounds of live ammunition.
The suspects arrested were identified as:
- Sipholi Sam Wafula alias Sande
- Ogomba Alex
- Mohammed Musa
- Wafula Clinton
All four were captured in different locations across Nairobi County during a highly strategic operation carried out simultaneously in various hotspots known for criminal activity.
Key Suspect Led Police to Hidden Firearm
Investigations revealed that Sipholi Sam Wafula was the first to be apprehended. Upon interrogation, he led detectives to his rented house in Saika, Nairobi. Inside the house, officers discovered a Falcon pistol loaded with eleven rounds of ammunition hidden beneath a pillow.
Following Sipholi’s arrest, Ogomba Alex was arrested in Dandora. During the search of his residence, the officers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 bullets stashed under his couch. Further questioning led police to the home of Mohammed Musa in Huruma, where it was confirmed that he is the rightful owner of the AK-47 rifle. Musa had been living with his family, cleverly concealing the firearm within his residence.
Cross-Border Crime Trail from Uganda
Preliminary investigations by the DCI suggest that the three Ugandan suspects had just crossed into Kenya from Uganda through the Malaba border on May 21, 2025. This return followed a previous escape to Uganda after the group allegedly executed a violent robbery in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
The pattern of fleeing to Uganda after criminal activity and returning to Kenya to plan more attacks has been identified as a key tactic of the gang to evade law enforcement.
Kenyan Ringleader Arrested in Pumwani
The only Kenyan national among the four suspects, Wafula Clinton, believed to be the gang’s ringleader and main strategist, was arrested in Pumwani. During his arrest, police recovered a second pistol—a Palleberum Feg 9mm handgun—loaded with nine rounds, tucked in his waistband.
Authorities believe Clinton played a central role in planning and coordinating all of the gang’s operations across the city, including the use of the firearms and distribution of tasks among the suspects.
Robbery Plot in Eastleigh Foiled
According to the DCI, the successful arrests averted a robbery that had been planned for the evening of May 22 at a business premise on 12th Street in Eastleigh. The foiled heist was part of the gang’s larger pattern of targeting commercial hubs using force and fear.
Although some accomplices involved in the planned Eastleigh robbery managed to escape, police have confirmed that their identities are now known. A manhunt is currently underway, with security agents working around the clock to ensure the rest of the gang is captured and disarmed.
Suspects in Custody, Parade and Arraignment Pending
The arrested suspects are currently being held at the DCI Starehe offices for further interrogation and formal processing. An identification parade is scheduled for today, and the four suspects are expected to be arraigned in court once investigations are finalized.
Police sources have assured the public that the latest arrests mark significant progress in dismantling the dangerous gang responsible for the recent spike in armed robbery cases in Nairobi and neighboring regions.
Public Urged to Report Suspicious Activity
The DCI has called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. With the continued rise in urban crime, especially involving firearms and cross-border gangs, community cooperation is critical in helping law enforcement maintain security.
Anyone with information regarding the remaining gang members or other illegal firearm possession is urged to reach out to police through the anonymous DCI hotline or nearby police stations.
