Interdicted officers are danger to public, court rules, as suspects detained for 21 days

A Nairobi court has denied bail and bond to four suspects, including two interdicted police officers and two civilians being investigated for rape and robbery with violence, ruling that they pose a flight risk and a danger to the public.

Senior Principal Magistrate E.M.M. Wamae granted detectives from Kasarani 21 days to detain the suspects while investigations continue into an alleged criminal syndicate that used police knowledge and tactics to target members of the public across Nairobi and Central Kenya.

In her ruling, the magistrate found compelling reasons for detention, citing the professionalism and training of the interdicted officers. She noted legitimate concerns that the suspects had been trained and issued with firearms during their service and may still possess or have access to such weapons.

“They have knowledge of how investigations are conducted and therefore pose a risk of interference and intimidation of witnesses, some of whom are complainants in robbery and sexual offences matters pending probe,” she observed.

The suspects were arrested on 22 September 2026 in an operation following a series of public complaints. They are linked to robberies, extortion and abductions.

Among them are Silas Onyango Okello, formerly attached to Kahawa Sukari before his interdiction, and Police Constable Oliver Juma Boge, previously attached to Railways Police Station and interdicted in March 2018. The two civilians are Job Sidiga and Stephene Okello, who allegedly masqueraded as law enforcers.

Sergeant David Waigua of Kasarani DCI told the court that the four allegedly posed as police officers and used a grey Toyota Allion registration number KCN 371M to trail targets, stage false arrests, extort money and rob members of the public within Kasarani Sub-County and surrounding areas.

One complainant, Silas Mwangi Wahogo, reported that he was robbed of Sh15,000 after being arrested by the group on allegations of smoking bhang.

Preliminary investigations further link the suspects to a robbery with violence reported at Kasarani on 16 September involving a total of Sh140,000, as well as other cases of rape and robbery with violence in Mwihoko, Thika West, Githurai and Mwiki.

An affidavit states that there is an existing warrant of arrest relating to a robbery with violence case at Kahawa Sukari.

Sgt Waigua sought the 21-day detention order to enable officers to obtain and analyse CCTV footage, process and profile the suspects (including verifying their interdiction status and background records), confirm their fixed residences, and identify and record statements from multiple complainants and witnesses across jurisdictions.

“We need to conduct identification parades, and retrieve geolocation and telephone data subject to legal processes. Exhibits and motor vehicle records need to be verified before compiling the investigation file for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said.

Defence counsel Joyce Owino and Eunice Katila opposed the application, arguing that reviewing CCTV footage did not require the suspects’ continued detention.

They further claimed the suspects had been extorted of Sh130,000 at Kasarani Police Station and produced receipts, though the court directed them to follow proper channels to report the matter.

The defence also questioned the absence of Occurrence Book numbers, known complainants and a specific case number for the alleged warrant of arrest.

Hon.

Wamae rejected the application for bond and bail, stating that the investigations were at a preliminary stage and required identification parades, analysis of CCTV footage, and retrieval of geolocation and telephone data. “I find the issues stated to be compelling to warrant detention. Orders granted,” she ruled.

The court noted that the suspects’ alleged operations across multiple regions, combined with their professional knowledge and potential access to firearms, made them both a substantial flight risk and a danger to the public.

In a related earlier incident on 30 July, Ombewa and his co-accused Kelvin Mwangi Muraguti, then Deputy Commanding Officer (OCS) at Drive-In Police Post, were accused of ambushing a Tanzanian man, Konrad Kanuti, and his wife, Beatrice Naliaka.

The couple were handcuffed and bundled into a waiting car. It was allegedly a five-member gang; others named included Oliver Baraza, Sidiga and Onyango, who are now under investigation.

Mwangi and Ombewa were accused of robbing the couple of three mobile phones valued at Sh76,000, forcing the withdrawal of Sh17,000 and demanding a further ransom of Sh1 million at a bank. Naliaka was held hostage in a Toyota Axio said to be owned by Ombewa.

Konrad secretly alerted a bank teller, who signalled armed guards. A Special Crimes Prevention Unit patrol team intercepted Ombewa, and the Deputy OCS was arrested later that evening.

Konrad and Naliaka later told the court they did not wish to pursue the case and wanted to forgive the accused persons facing a capital offence. They stated they had not been forced or coerced. The matter was withdrawn.