Undercover detectives based in Nairobi raided several matatu terminals on Tuesday, November 29 to smoke out criminals.
Led by Makadara OCPD, Timon Odingo, the detectives busted a notorious gang wreaking havoc and disrupting the entire matatu sector, especially in the Eastlands areas.
The sting operation saw 20 members of the gang arrested, posing as stage attendants, popularly known as Kamagiras.
According to Makadara OCPD, the syndicate was extorting money from matatu operators in Mukuru Kwa Reuben and other parts of the city.
“The riders escaped when they realised our undercover team was conducting an operation at the slum. The gang extorts each matatu Ksh100 as a fee to pick up commuters at the matatu stage,” the OCPD told Nation.
“If the matatu does not give out the money, its door is forcefully closed so that no passenger will get in and then the driver is ordered to move,” he added.
Some passengers lamented that the gang had affected the matatu sector, especially the commuters’ safety in the affected areas. They asked the detectives to flush out the gangs.
Area Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Felix Nyamai corroborated the reports indicating that the syndicate was being run by influential individuals.
“In the paradise of the gang, the leaders drive Prados and other expensive vehicles, but when you go to the matatu stage, the stages are manned by hopeless youths,” Nyamai stated.
While appealing to the public to share information that would help to apprehend other gang members, detectives indicated that they operated using motorbikes.
The raid came after DCI linked a stage attendant to the murder of Keagan Githua, in Ridgeways Estate, Kiambu County.
DCI disclosed that the suspect posed as a crew in the matatu sector to gather intelligent information before pouncing on their targets.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE