Police in Kayole have been allowed to continue detaining two individuals suspected of being members of a gang that lures “Bolt” riders through online ride requests before robbing them at gunpoint.
The suspects, identified as Peter Okola Ngala and 22-year-old Befley Mokeira, alias Kamum, were arrested after being linked to a series of robberies in which victims were stripped of their belongings, including mobile phones, money, and motorcycles.
On June 11, 2025, Makadara Senior Principal Magistrate Joseph Karanja granted police an order to continue holding the suspects for further investigation into the robbery with violence cases.
The request for detention was filed by Police Constable Charity Kagwiria, who is handling the investigation at Kayole Police Station.
According to an affidavit filed in court, Ngala and Mokeira allegedly used the popular ride-hailing platform Bolt to lure victims from the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to the Kayole area.
Once the riders dropped the suspects off, they were ambushed and robbed by the duo and other accomplices.
The robbery incidents, which occurred between May 24 and June 8, 2025, are recorded under the following Occurrence Book (OB) numbers: 45/24/5/2025, 59/28/5/2025, 76/6/6/2025, and 16/8/6/2025.
Victims include Joseph Kihato Kagunda, Meshack Ngigi Njoki, Peter Githini, and Isaiah Mukaria.
The police report that all four victims were attacked after dropping off their “clients” in the Log area of Kayole.
“The suspects would rob their victims of mobile phones, cash, and other personal valuables before fleeing the scene,” said PC Kagwiria in the court affidavit.
During the investigation, police discovered that the victims’ digital wallets were emptied, and their money was transferred to various M-Pesa accounts.
One of the victims was even robbed of his motorcycle. The attackers, armed with a pistol and knives, threatened to harm the riders if they resisted the robbery.
A manhunt led to the arrest of Ngala and Mokeira on May 7, 2025, in the Nyamavilla area, where a stolen mobile phone was found in Ngala’s possession.
PC Kagwiria said the phone was traced to one of the robbery victims.
“I am investigating cases of robbery with violence contrary to section 296(2) of the Penal Code,” said PC Kagwiria.
To aid the ongoing investigation, Kayole Police are seeking forensic analysis of the suspects’ mobile phones, which are suspected to contain crucial evidence.
police have also requested the suspects’ M-Pesa statements and call data records, which could help track the stolen funds.
Furthermore, the police intend to conduct an identification parade, recover the firearm used in the robberies, and locate the stolen motorcycle.
PC Kagwiria informed the court that 11 telephone numbers belonging to the suspects will be examined as part of the ongoing forensic investigation.
Additionally, the authorities are in the process of obtaining the M-Pesa transaction history of both the victims and the suspects to trace the movement of the stolen funds.
The suspects remain in police custody at Kayole Police Station, with the Makadara Magistrate’s Court granting permission to detain them for an additional 14 days as investigations continue.
