End of the road for gang suspected of preying on Uber drivers
Suspected criminal gang preying on Uber drivers arrested in Kiambu.
Police in Githunguri, Kiambu County, have arrested two suspects believed to be part of a criminal gang targeting Uber drivers in a spate of violent attacks and vehicle vandalism.
The duo were arrested early Thursday morning at around 3am during a routine police patrol along the Githunguri-Kiambu Road.
According to a police report from Githunguri Police Station, officers intercepted a suspicious Uber vehicle, a Toyota Passo, at Gathanji shopping centre, approximately seven kilometres from the station.
The vehicle was being driven by Antony Kimemia Wanyeki, 34, who had picked up the suspects after they had requested a ride from Kiambu Posta to the Jamaica area in Githunguri.
Upon conducting a search of the vehicle and its occupants, officers discovered an assortment of tools commonly associated with vehicle vandalism and possible assault.
One of the suspected criminals was found with an improvised wire fixed onto a piece of wood, suspected to be used for strangling victims, a sisal rope, a cobbler's adze, pliers, screwdrivers, various spanners, a navy blue marvin (knit cap) likely used for disguise, and two manila sacks, believed to be for ferrying stolen or vandalised car parts.
The other suspect, on his part, was found in possession of two national ID cards — one in his own name and another bearing the name a Mr Wayayi, a Tecno Spark 8 smartphone, used to hail the ride, and a spanner.
Police believe the suspects have been posing as genuine Uber customers before turning violent and vandalising vehicles, especially on remote feeder roads within Kiambu County.
"The suspects are part of a gang that has been luring unsuspecting Uber drivers before launching attacks and damaging their vehicles," police said in the report.
Investigations are underway, and the two men are currently in custody, police said.
Police say they will soon be presented for identification by other Uber drivers who have recently fallen victim to similar attacks, potentially linking the suspects to other cases.