Suspected notorious ‘axe-man’ arrested in Murang’a

Murang’a

Friday, August 18, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

Police in Murang’a on Thursday evening managed to arrest a suspect believed to be behind increased raids and robbery in parts of Mbiri ward.

The suspect commonly referred to by the locals as ‘Wagathanwa’ was arrested at Kenol shopping centre after he failed to appear in court for a previous case hearing.

Murang’a County Police Commander David Mathiu said security officers have been pursuing the suspect for several weeks leading to his arrest.

The suspect, Samuel Mwangi Maina was identified by some of the victims he had attacked and robbed at their homes.

Maina is said to be walking with an axe and breaking into people’s houses robbing them of money and other valuables.

Residents of Kandundu, Kambirwa and Kongoini areas have been living in fear for the past few weeks fearing attacks from Wagathanwa.

In a press briefing on Friday, Mathiu noted the suspect was supposed to appear in a Kenol Court for a different case but failed to show up but the officers managed to track him. “The axe – man has been raiding homes and robbing residents of their money and valuables. After committing the crime, he usually disappears for a while before coming back to terrorize the locals.

“He is believed to be residing in one of the slums in Nairobi but his home area is Maragua ridge in Murang’a South Sub County,” he added.

Mathiu said about eight cases of raids committed by the axe man have been reported suspecting there are more but locals are fearing to make reports at police stations.

“We call upon those who were attacked or robbed by the man moving around with an axe to make a report at the police station. This will assist to compile all criminal activities committed by the suspect,” he added.

Meanwhile, the commander said police officers in Kandara on Thursday night gunned down a suspect who was part of a gang that tried to raid a petrol station.

The culprits are said to have been dressed in combat attire and when confronted by police officers, they opened fire at them and in retaliation the officers shot back killing one of them.

“The officers are pursuing the other suspects who managed to escape and we hope to track and apprehend them,” added Mathiu.

He stressed that security officers are on high alert to combat crime in the area but also urged the members of public to join hands with them by giving information on any suspicious people or activities in their respective areas.

Courtesy ; K. N. A