Police in Mumias East have arrested seven members suspected to be associated with an illegal group known as ‘Jeshi Jinga’.
Mumias East OCPD Dorice Chemos said area residents, who agreed to assist police in identifying the lawbreakers, tipped off the police about two members of the group.
After interrogation, the two led police to five other group members; one of them was arrested while smoking bhang at his home during the day.
Among the arrested suspects is a 17-year-old boy who, according to the OCPD, is a student recently suspended from school over an indiscipline case.
The OCPD said that police are pursuing other members of the group, adding that a woman was also arrested.
The criminals allegedly use her to pose as a pillion passenger to bait unsuspecting boda boda riders, who are then attacked and robbed of their motorcycles.
“Immediately the boda boda rider stops to pick her up, the other group members emerge from their hideout in the darkness, attack the rider and flee with the motorbike,” the police boss told the Kenya News Agency.
She noted that police officers recovered crude weapons from the homes of the arrested members, including clubs, pangas, knives, slashers, metal rods with sharpened ends, bright torches and black jackets.
Chemos said the group seems to wear black jackets at night when they terrorise community members.
Apart from Jeshi Jinga, the OCPD said police have also been informed of another existing group that specialises in stealing cattle from community members.
“We were led to a cattle thief at Eluwasambi, a youth known as Fredrick Keya. His parents have confirmed that he is rarely at home during the day but is always available in the dead of night,” she said.
The police boss urged parents to always be aware of the company their children keep and to take note of changes in their behaviour.
She also warned that police will continue with patrols and arrest those attending disco matanga, as such events give the gang an opportunity to roam around and get away with criminal activities.
