Suspected gang member arrested in Kisumu as weapons and cannabis seized

Police in Kisumu have arrested a man suspected of being a member of a criminal gang and seized weapons, cannabis and military-style equipment in a multi-agency operation.

The operation was carried out in the Kondele area by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Administration Police Service (APS) and General Service Unit (GSU).

Police said they intercepted a white Toyota Axio, registration number KCZ 808K, and arrested 34-year-old Franklin Okungu, also known as “Ninjaman”.

Investigators allege that Okungu is a gang member and an associate of Oliver Jaoko, alias “Olivetti”.

Following his arrest, officers searched a house in the Manyatta area, where they said they found pouches containing arrows, three machetes and a customised club fitted with a metal casing and screw-gear head.

Police also recovered two military-pattern ground sheets, a red beret, tactical clothing and a black military-style helmet.

Sixteen cookies believed to contain cannabis were also seized, along with cannabis, according to investigators.

Other items recovered included a diary containing handwritten entries about tactics and techniques, training manuals and other material described by police as relating to warfare.

Crime Scene Investigators from the Nyanza region documented the scene, while police said an inventory of the exhibits was prepared and signed by the suspect.

The investigators allege that Okungu was an instructor in an organisation known as the “American Marines”, which they say was associated with Jaoko.

He is accused of training members in the use of swords, pangas and machetes, as well as karate and other combat techniques.

Police say the group initially consisted of bouncers and other young people who were mobilised and hired for various assignments before allegedly developing into a group known as the “Summit Gang”.

Okungu is being processed for prosecution and is expected to face charges including robbery with violence, possession of public stores, possession of property suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained, possession of narcotic drugs and participation in organised criminal activity.

The charges are allegations and will have to be proved in court. Police have urged members of the public to provide information that could help identify and disrupt criminal gangs and their activities.