Police in Nakuru have arrested a 23-year-old man believed to be among the top leaders in the dreaded WaTZ gang, a splinter criminal group of the ‘Confirm’ gang, operating in the informal settlements.
Nakuru County Police Commander Peter Mwanzo said Jackson Marucha Obedi Yasin alias Rodgers was arrested following a tip-off from members of the public that the criminals were holding a meeting in one of the estates.
“The suspect Jackson Marucha Obedi Yasin alias Rodgers was arrested during a raid in Msalaba area of Nakuru East. He is believed to be the leader of the WaTZ criminal gang,” Mwanzo said.
According to the police boss, the suspect and his accomplices have been on the police radar for the last few months following various atrocities committed against Nakuru residents by the gangs.
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“Officers moved to the scene and managed to arrest the suspect. His accomplices managed to escape in a private vehicle that was packed with daggers and other crude weapons,” Mwanzo added.
Mwanzo noted that police were yet to establish the mission of the meeting but the suspect was aiding in their investigations.
“The gang is involved in mobile phone snatching, house break-ins and other forms of violent robberies some of which have ended with lives being lost and serious injuries,” the police boss stated.
The county commander stated that there has been an upsurge in criminal activities in the recent past for which the security officers were working on strategies to tame them.
“We shall take the suspect to court as we pursue the rest. Last week we had a serious fight between gang members which left one of them seriously wounded,” he said.
Gang leaders identified
Authorities have reportedly identified several gang leaders who are now on police radar in the fight against organized crimes in the county.
“Some go with their alias names among them Fadhili, Makafeli, Achugo, Galgalo and Masaiya. Soon we are going to eradicate this gang in Nakuru,” he said.
The gang has been linked to the murder of a 21-year-old woman who was found beheaded and her body dumped in Rongai on December 9.
“We are calling for support from the communities towards ensuring we have a secure place to live in. This is not a war to entirely leave to the police alone,” he said.
