Police have arrested one of the suspects linked to the armed robbery that disrupted a women's chama meeting at a salon in Nairobi's Saika estate, days after CCTV footage of the incident went viral and sparked public outrage over rising violent crime in the city.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 4, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said detectives from Kayole Police Station arrested Dennis Macharia, alias Mahua, during an intelligence-led operation in the Korogocho area.
According to the DCI, Macharia is believed to have been one of two armed men who stormed the salon on July 26 while members of the Queen's Women Chama were holding their routine fortnightly meeting.
The robbery, which occurred at about 3pm, gained national attention after CCTV footage surfaced online showing the suspects walking calmly into the salon before one suddenly pulled out a pistol and ordered the women to surrender their belongings.
"Nyamaza kaa chini (shut up, sit down)," the gunman was heard shouting as terrified women began screaming. "Leta simu (bring your phones)," he ordered moments later.
The footage showed the second suspect, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet, leaving the salon first as panic erupted. Several women, including one carrying a child, were seen fleeing for safety.
According to the DCI, the suspects escaped with Ksh50,000 in cash and several mobile phones. "The suspect together with his accomplice who remains at large, stormed the salon, while armed with a pistol, and robbed a group of unsuspecting women of Ksh50,000 and mobile phones," the DCI stated in part.
Following Macharia's arrest, detectives recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used during the robbery, along with two knives that have been retained as exhibits.
"The suspect is currently undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment. Meanwhile, detectives are pursuing additional leads to trail and apprehend the remaining suspect who is still at large," the agency added.
The arrest comes after the CCTV clip triggered widespread concern online, with many Kenyans calling for tougher action against armed gangs operating within Nairobi.
Some social media users expressed shock that such a brazen daylight robbery could occur in Saika, an area many considered relatively secure.
Others compared the incident to the armed robbery at Chaiiwali Café along General Mathenge Road in Nairobi's Westlands area on July 4.
In that attack, CCTV footage showed four armed men arriving on two motorcycles before storming the café's outdoor dining area. Two of the suspects initially posed as customers before drawing pistols and ordering diners to surrender their mobile phones and electronic devices.
Police later confirmed that seven mobile phones and an HP laptop were stolen during the raid, which took place at about 10.35pm. Investigators said the robbery lasted less than a minute before the suspects fired two shots into the air and escaped towards Parklands.
Police and DCI detectives later arrested several suspects linked to the Westlands robbery. On July 13, officers also shot dead a man in Joska whom they identified as a key suspect after he allegedly defied orders to surrender, drew a pistol and opened fire at police during an attempted arrest.
The Saika robbery has once again raised concerns over the growing use of illegal firearms and motorcycles in violent crimes across Nairobi, particularly in estates such as Kayole, Saika, Njiru and Maili Saba, where residents have complained that criminals exploit motorcycles to make swift getaways after attacks.
The latest arrest is expected to provide fresh leads as detectives continue pursuing the second suspect and investigate whether the gang could be linked to other recent armed robberies reported in the capital.
