Notorious Kiambu robber arrested; police recover pistol linked to multiple heists

A major police operation in Kiambu County has led to the arrest of a 26-year-old man, Stephen Igogo Kariuki, believed to be the mastermind behind a series of violent robberies in the Rweno and Kiambaa areas. The arrest, carried out by Kiambaa Sub‑County officers after a tip‑off from the public, culminated in a dramatic raid on his hideout. During the search, officers recovered a Retay Falcon pistol, a firearm thought to have been used in his crime spree. Radio47+2K24 Digital+2
Authorities say the arrest is the result of intelligence-led policing, with Kariuki leading officers to his residence after his capture. There, they found the pistol hidden inside a chicken shed — although importantly, the weapon was unloaded at the time of discovery. National Police Service+1 The firearm has since been forwarded to the National Forensic Laboratory for ballistic testing, as investigators work to link it definitively to the robberies reported in the area. Citizen+2The Star+2
The arrest has sparked relief among residents of Kiambaa and Rweno, who had been living under growing fear as the suspect’s robberies disrupted local security. Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) praised community cooperation, saying the tip-off was crucial to the operation’s success. K24 Digital+1 Meanwhile, the suspect remains in police custody and is expected to be arraigned in court soon. The Star
Looking ahead, law enforcement has vowed to sustain its crackdown on armed crime in Kiambu County. The forensic analysis of the recovered pistol could strengthen the case against Kariuki and potentially tie him to past unsolved robberies. Police officials are also encouraging continued public engagement, signalling that further arrests in the network may follow if citizens keep sharing intelligence.