Detectives in Kibwezi, Makueni County, have made significant progress in the hunt for highway robbers after recovering 129 bags of rice stolen during a brazen attack on a transit truck.
The heist occurred on December 21 at Machinery, Kambu, when armed gang members on motorcycles ambushed the truck en route from Mombasa.
According to the truck driver, who reported the incident at Makindu Police Station, the robbers overpowered him, assaulted him, and then took control of the loaded truck.
After driving the vehicle to an undisclosed location, the gang dumped the driver near Makindu before offloading 500 bags of rice, each weighing 25 kilograms.
The empty lorry was later abandoned as the criminals divided their loot.
Acting swiftly on intelligence, detectives from DCI Makindu raided the homestead of one of the key suspects, identified as Alex Mweti Kasina, aged 42.
However, Kasina and his wife managed to flee moments before the officers arrived. Outside their home, authorities discovered 129 bags of the stolen rice stacked in plain sight.
The police are now intensifying efforts to track down the fugitive suspect, his wife, and the rest of the gang members.
Investigations are ongoing to recover the remaining stolen bags and bring all culprits to justice.
Authorities are urging members of the public to report any suspicious activity that may aid in apprehending the suspects.
