The suspect, identified as police constable Mark Owino, was arrested on Saturday evening, February 7, at Holo Police Station after investigators reviewed CCTV footage linking him to multiple robberies reported across Siaya and Kisumu counties.
Authorities believe Owino was part of a criminal gang that carried out night attacks while armed with a machete and an AK-47 rifle.
According to a police incident report filed at Bondo Police Station, Owino was apprehended at around 7:00 pm following days of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
According to a police incident report filed at Bondo Police Station, Owino was apprehended at around 7:00 pm following days of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
He is suspected to be one of three men captured on CCTV robbing a shop at Ajigo Trading Centre in Bondo.
The robbery at Ajigo occurred late on the night of February 3 and was reported at Lwala Kotiende Police Station in the early hours of the following day.
The robbery at Ajigo occurred late on the night of February 3 and was reported at Lwala Kotiende Police Station in the early hours of the following day.
CCTV footage from the shop shows three men entering the premises shortly before midnight, moments after shop attendants began closing procedures.
The owner of the business, Ezrah Gumbe, said the attackers struck at approximately 11:35 pm. At the time, three attendants were inside the shop finalising sales records.
The owner of the business, Ezrah Gumbe, said the attackers struck at approximately 11:35 pm. At the time, three attendants were inside the shop finalising sales records.
One of the assailants, armed with a machete, is seen slapping an attendant before ordering everyone to lie on the floor, while another suspect wielding a firearm stood guard.
Gumbe said the gang struggled briefly with the shop’s inner door before forcing him to surrender the day’s earnings. He sustained injuries during the attack and later received medical attention.
“When they attacked us, we suffered a very heavy loss,” Gumbe said.
Gumbe said the gang struggled briefly with the shop’s inner door before forcing him to surrender the day’s earnings. He sustained injuries during the attack and later received medical attention.
“When they attacked us, we suffered a very heavy loss,” Gumbe said.
“I lost between KSh 140,000 and KSh 150,000, based on my daily sales. They also took my phone, my M-Pesa business phone and one of my attendant’s phones.”
One of the shop attendants, Mourice Otieno, told police that the robbers initially posed as ordinary customers. He said the presence of a gun escalated panic inside the shop.
“The man with the machete entered first, while the one with the gun stood where we were ordered to lie down,” Otieno said.
One of the shop attendants, Mourice Otieno, told police that the robbers initially posed as ordinary customers. He said the presence of a gun escalated panic inside the shop.
“The man with the machete entered first, while the one with the gun stood where we were ordered to lie down,” Otieno said.
“When the gunman also entered the shop, we found a chance to escape and screamed for help.”
Investigators say the same gang was captured on CCTV shortly after the Ajigo robbery attacking pedestrians believed to be university students within the Bondo area.
Investigators say the same gang was captured on CCTV shortly after the Ajigo robbery attacking pedestrians believed to be university students within the Bondo area.
In the footage, the suspects arrive on a motorcycle, order victims to lie down and demand phones and cash while threatening to kill them.
During the incident, one man is seen fleeing before returning with a bow and arrow in an attempt to confront the attackers. A gunshot is heard moments later, forcing residents to scatter as the robbers escape.
Traders in Ajigo and Bondo have blamed worsening insecurity on poor lighting and inadequate police patrols. Several business owners said attacks had become frequent, especially late at night.
Bonface Were, another trader at Ajigo market, said he was attacked in a similar manner nearly two years ago and has never recovered his losses. He added that he sustained machete injuries that required prolonged treatment.
Residents also complained that Lwala Kotiende Police Station lacks a patrol vehicle, delaying response times during emergencies.
During the incident, one man is seen fleeing before returning with a bow and arrow in an attempt to confront the attackers. A gunshot is heard moments later, forcing residents to scatter as the robbers escape.
Traders in Ajigo and Bondo have blamed worsening insecurity on poor lighting and inadequate police patrols. Several business owners said attacks had become frequent, especially late at night.
Bonface Were, another trader at Ajigo market, said he was attacked in a similar manner nearly two years ago and has never recovered his losses. He added that he sustained machete injuries that required prolonged treatment.
Residents also complained that Lwala Kotiende Police Station lacks a patrol vehicle, delaying response times during emergencies.
They urged the government to prioritise security infrastructure, including street lighting and faster investigations.
Police believe the arrested officer may also be linked to a January 18 robbery at a pub in Kisumu County.
Police believe the arrested officer may also be linked to a January 18 robbery at a pub in Kisumu County.
CCTV footage from that incident shows three men storming the premises shortly before midnight, assaulting customers with a machete and demanding phones and M-Pesa PINs before ransacking the establishment.
In all the recorded attacks, one suspect believed to be Owino is heard issuing commands in a distinctive Dholuo accent. Investigators say this detail helped narrow down the suspects.
Authorities are continuing efforts to arrest the remaining gang members, including the motorcycle rider who acted as their getaway driver.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned at Bondo Law Courts on Monday, February 9, as police expand investigations into the wider robbery network.
In all the recorded attacks, one suspect believed to be Owino is heard issuing commands in a distinctive Dholuo accent. Investigators say this detail helped narrow down the suspects.
Authorities are continuing efforts to arrest the remaining gang members, including the motorcycle rider who acted as their getaway driver.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned at Bondo Law Courts on Monday, February 9, as police expand investigations into the wider robbery network.
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