Five robbery suspects nabbed in Machakos

Five men were arrested in Matuu, Machakos County, after allegedly spending an entire week living in a homeowner’s house while systematically stealing goods, authorities report. According to The Star, neighbours became suspicious as the men cooked, ate, and slept in the residence—activities they never expected from intruders. The Star
The homeowner, businessman Michael Matheka, was away with his family when the thefts were underway. Matheka said the intruders acted with surprising nonchalance, even preparing meals in his fish pond and using his kitchen. The Star When alerted, police conducted a raid but initially couldn’t find the suspects—they had slipped into nearby thickets after officers fired warning shots. The Star Later, some of the suspects were captured, and stolen items worth KSh 650,000 were recovered, including electronics, furniture, clothing, bedding and kitchenware. The Star
Local authorities have launched a full-scale manhunt for the remaining suspects, who include a member of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), according to police reports. The Star Machakos police are relying on information from those already arrested to guide them to the hideouts of the rest of the gang. The Star
The incident has sparked concern among residents about rising insecurity in Machakos County. Community leaders have praised the swift public response that led to the arrests, calling it a demonstration of the effective role citizens can play in crime prevention. Meanwhile, police have thanked the public for their vigilance and pledged to continue working to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region. The Star