Two suspects involved in the violent robbery and murder of a 23-year-old businesswoman in Kondele in January 2024 have been apprehended.
Their arrest follows thorough investigations conducted by the Kondele police, which have led to the recovery of an AK47 rifle used in the murder and 36 rounds of live ammunition.
The victim, identified as Grace Awino Adero, operated an Mpesa shop in the Kondele area. On January 27, two armed assailants attacked her and her husband, stealing the day's earnings and fatally shooting her. Fortunately, the husband narrowly escaped.
The perpetrators, believed to be part of a larger criminal group, fled the scene on an unmarked motorcycle, regrouping with their accomplices at a hideout in Kasagam, Kisumu county.
Several hours later, police on patrol in Kasagam encountered and confronted five individuals inside a suspicious sedan parked in a secluded area.
The occupants fled, abandoning the vehicle. Upon inspection, an AK47 rifle (without a magazine) and a homemade pistol were discovered, along with four mobile phones.
Investigations revealed that the vehicle had been rented, and forensic analysis confirmed that the rifle had been stolen or acquired from Uganda.
Months later, on April 18, one of the suspects, a 26-year-old former footballer for the Kisumu Allstars Club, was apprehended in Obunga, Kasarani, Kisumu Central, by Kondele-based police.
Following arraignment at the Winam Senior Principal Magistrate's Court, detectives were granted a 14-day extension to conclude their investigation.
After extensive interrogation, investigators identified the ringleader, known as alias Osama, believed to be the mastermind behind the syndicate's criminal activities.
In a coordinated operation, Kisumu police raided Osama's residence in Kasagam, near Rai Primary School, where they arrested his 17-year-old brother, also suspected of involvement in the gang.
During the raid, an AK47 magazine loaded with ammunition, pistol rounds, various ID cards, a Kenya Armed Forces Comrades Association card, a mobile phone, and a green camouflage bag were seized.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities pursuing the prime suspect and other gang members whose identities have been established.
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