Efforts to rid the Coast region of criminal elements received a major boost after security officers arrested two-armed suspects linked to a violent robbery and abduction in Mombasa and recovered a loaded AK-47 rifle.
The suspects — Collins Ochieng alias Voke (22) and Timothy Omondi Mgowe (23) — are believed to be behind a February 17, 2026 incident in Kisauni Sub-County where a businessman was accosted by masked men, robbed of a large sum of money and other valuables, and later abandoned in the Mombasa Cement area.
According to investigators, the victim was ambushed at night by a group of assailants who blocked his vehicle before forcibly ejecting him.
“They were masked and clearly organized. They struck swiftly, took his money and valuables, and dumped him in an isolated area,” a senior detective involved in the probe said. “It was a traumatic ordeal for the victim.”
The businessman was later rescued and treated for injuries sustained during the attack.
The operation that led to the arrest of the two suspects was carried out by a joint team drawn from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) and the Operations Directorate.
Police said detectives worked round the clock, following forensic leads and intelligence reports that eventually led them to a targeted apartment in the Bamburi Fisheries area.
“After days of painstaking investigations and acting on credible intelligence, we zeroed in on the suspects’ hideout,” the officer said. “The team executed a swift operation that resulted in the arrest of the two suspects.”
During the raid, officers recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with a magazine, four rounds of ammunition, and ten assorted mobile phones believed to be linked to criminal activities.
“The recovery of the firearm is significant. We suspect it may have been used to terrorize victims during robberies,” the detective added. “We are conducting ballistic analysis and further forensic examination.”
The two suspects are currently in custody undergoing processing pending arraignment in court.
Security officials say operations across the Coast region have intensified as authorities seek to dismantle criminal networks operating in the area.
“We are determined to restore sanity and ensure residents and businesses operate without fear,” the officer said. “Anyone involved in criminal activity should know that the law will catch up with them.”
Police have urged members of the public to continue sharing information that could aid in ongoing investigations.
