After weeks of long and thorough investigations, detectives launched a coordinated operation across Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale counties, resulting in a string of arrests and major recoveries as police moved to dismantle criminal gangs terrorising the Coast region.

The week-long operation followed months of undercover investigation, with police carefully trailing suspects and piecing together evidence before apprehending them.

A total of 14 criminal suspects linked to infamous machete wielding gangs in Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa were caught in the midnight swoop as officers raided their hodeouts to flush them out.

Among those arrested this week only was John Wanguno Wachira, a man widely known by the aliases Kajohny, Johnny wa Bush, Johnny wa Skank, and Bloody. Wachira was arrested alongside his spouse, Priscilla Lodikai, after officers recovered cannabis sativa from his possession. Police said he had previously been issued with a P52 summons requiring him to report to Mtwapa Police Station on January 1, 2026, over a case of possession of suspected stolen goods. Detectives describe him as a notorious drug peddler and burglar who has long been on their radar.

In another dramatic arrest, Daudi Ahmad Ali, linked to the Meditation Base, was found with assorted mobile phones and a white substance suspected to be cocaine. Investigators say Daudi is infamous for violent muggings, phone snatching, and house break-ins carried out using crude weapons, alongside active involvement in drug trafficking.

Police also netted Salim Mafuko Hamisi also known as Modi Salimu, who was arrested together with his associate Ali Musa Mwachimwingi. Salimu is believed to be part of the Phone Technicians in Ibiza, a syndicate blamed for dealing in stolen phones and fuelling muggings across Mombasa and Kwale. Officers recovered stolen mobile phones and a suspicious whitish powder believed to be cocaine during the arrest. He is also described as a habitual drug peddler.

In Kilifi, detectives arrested Swadik Hamisi Mwazembe, alias Swadik Budo, who is reportedly affiliated with the Alosto Criminal Gang. The gang is accused of terrorising villagers through robberies and muggings using crude weapons. Police recovered crude weapons and a whitish powder suspected to be cocaine from him, further linking him to drug trafficking activities.

Meanwhile, Samuel Getonga was identified as the leader of the Azam Criminal Gang, a group associated with violent robberies, burglaries, and drug peddling. Officers recovered rolls of bhang from him at the time of his arrest.

The operation also dealt a blow to organised land invasion networks, primarily operating withinKilifi county. The gangs violently invading public and private property and reselling to unsuspecting owners, christened Team Mashamaba Nicholas Mumba Chisiwa, linked to Team Mashamba, was arrested after officers recovered 315 grams of bhang. The gang is accused of invading both public and private land in kilifi and engaging in forced evictions, often brandishing crude weapons. Police also seized rubber stamps bearing the name “Tushirikiane Mtomondoni CBO,” registration forms, and lists of individuals who had allegedly paid for plots on land belonging to the 30 acre Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), recently occupied by squatters.

Another Team Mashamba suspect, Iqbal Khan Sherbal, also known as Kaka, was found in possession of crude weapons and police uniforms, which investigators say were being used to impersonate law enforcement officers during land invasions. Sherbal was also allegedly linked to land –grabbing of several plots of land within the 161 acres disputed Maweni Scheme, forceful destruction and eviction of land owners and tenants within Mtwapa. His close associate, Victor Kuto, was also arrested in connection with the same gang.

Police say the arrests mark a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle organised crime, drug trafficking, and illegal land occupations at the Coast, with investigations ongoing as more suspects are pursued.

The suspects face various charges ranging from robbery and related offences Illegal possession of ammunition and government stores, drug trafficking and/or possession of narcotic substances, and any other charges as investigations may warrant. These charges carry sentences of between 6 months – for illegal evictions, to 50 years or life for narcotics and serious robbery with violence offences. For drug peddling, courts have been known to award hefty fines of up to three times the market value of the impounded drugs, to act as a deterrence to future offender.

A statement by police noted that this is one among many security operations aimed at restoring law and order and protecting lives and property as enshrined in the national Police Service Act, 11A of 2011. The statement also issued a stern warning to criminals, promising that they will be apprehended and face the full force of the law.

Police have commended members of the public for providing valuable information that aided in the apprehension of the suspects, and implored them to continue co-operating with them towards securing their neighbourhoods.