Security operations in Kenya’s Coast region have received a significant boost after detectives arrested two suspects and recovered a loaded AK-47 rifle during an intelligence-led operation in Mombasa.
Arrests and Incident Background
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the suspects as Collins Ochieng alias Voke (22) and Timothy Omondi Mgowe (23).
The two are believed to have been involved in a robbery and abduction incident targeting a businessman in Kisauni Sub-County on February 17, 2026. According to the DCI, the victim was accosted by masked men, robbed of a large sum of money and valuables, and later abandoned in the Mombasa Cement area.
Intelligence-Led Operation
Detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) and the Operations Directorate launched investigations and placed the suspects under surveillance before acting on credible intelligence.
“After days of painstaking investigations and surveillance, detectives acted on credible intelligence and conducted a raid at a targeted apartment,” the DCI said.
The raid, carried out in the Bamburi Fisheries area, led to the recovery of:
- One AK-47 rifle
- One magazine loaded with four rounds of ammunition
- Ten assorted mobile phones suspected to be linked to criminal activity
Next Steps
The suspects are currently in custody pending arraignment. The DCI emphasized that security operations will continue across the Coast region as part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety.
Conclusion
The arrests and recovery of weapons highlight the importance of intelligence-led policing in combating organized crime. As operations intensify, authorities aim to reassure residents of the Coast region that law enforcement remains committed to safeguarding communities.
