The ringleader of the Nakuru-based 'Confirm' gang has been arrested as police intensify a crackdown on the group believed to be behind a spate of armed robberies and other crimes in the city.
Dickson Macharia Waithira alias Deco was arrested on the night of Tuesday, August 2, 2022.
Nakuru County Police Commander Peter Mwanzo said the suspect was arrested following intelligence leads received by security teams in the region.
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While narrating the history of the gang, the police boss said Macharia, 35, came from a group of thugs christened the 'royal family' that was notorious in Kivumbini Phase 4 area in early 2000.
"This is the family that is said to have actually begun the criminal activities in Nakuru within Kivumbini Phase 4. This included the recruitment of inmates coming from Kamiti Maximum Prison. They had made Kivumbini area their hub and that's where they used to hide whenever they were committing criminal activities.
"That was through mobile money transfer frauds, sending messages that you have received some money which was purported to be erroneous and unsuspecting members of the public including would be asked to make a refund which later on they would discover that they had been defrauded," Mwanzo said.
The gang was founded by a man identified as Biggy. Macharia is said to have taken over the reins when the ringleader died.
"Biggy is the one who coordinated the activities. Following the death of Biggy, the elder member of the 'royal family', his brother Deco took over the reins and equally continued with the operations. It has been difficult to reach him but fortunately last night an operation was conducted and we were able to catch up with him."
During the Tuesday night operation, police recovered phones, a laptop and a consignment of drugs, including heroin and bhang, from the suspect.
The suspect will be arraigned in court on Thursday, August 4.
Tens of young men linked to the 'Confirm' gang have been arrested and several others killed since a crack down ordered by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i in late June.
"There are four suspects who were killed last night from a notorious gang group known as "Confirm" and have been taking advantage of the residents of this area," Mwanzo said last month.
