Three Suspects Arrested Months After Viral Ksh169K M-Pesa Shop Robbery

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced the arrest of three suspects allegedly linked to a Ksh169,000 M-Pesa shop robbery in Katangi, Yatta Sub-County.

In a statement dated September 1, DCI stated that the suspects were arrested following a coordinated police operation launched after officers received a tip-off from members of the public.

“Three suspects linked to a brazen M-Pesa shop robbery in which an attendant was robbed of Sh169,000 in Katangi, Yatta Sub-County, on May 15, 2026, have been arrested following a meticulously coordinated police operation,” read part of the statement.

DCI Arrests First Suspect in Katangi M-Pesa Robbery

The robbery reportedly occurred on May 15, 2026, when an M-Pesa attendant in Katangi was allegedly robbed of Ksh169,000.

Acting on information provided by members of the public, officers from Katangi arrested one of the suspects, identified as Ben Mutuku, at Katangi Shopping Centre.

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Following his arrest, Police subsequently extended the operation to Yathui in Mwala Sub-County, where two other suspects, Simon Makau and Samuel Mbolu, were arrested.

According to the DCI, the two were reportedly intercepted while travelling in a white Toyota Corolla, registration number KDU 164G.

“The dragnet then widened to Yathui in Mwala Sub-County, where two more suspects, Simon Makau and Samuel Mbolu, were cornered and arrested while travelling in a white Toyota Corolla, registration KDU 164G,” the DCI stated.

Police also recovered an M-Pesa till phone allegedly stolen during the robbery.

The DCI said the device was positively identified by the M-Pesa attendant as the phone taken during the incident.

Meanwhile, the vehicle and the recovered phone have been retained as exhibits as investigations continue, while the three suspects remain in police custody as officers complete processing ahead of their arraignment.

The agency has also urged members of the public to provide information that could assist in preventing and investigating crime.

Migori M-Pesa Operator Hospitalised After Shooting

The arrests come amid continued reports of robberies targeting M-Pesa businesses in different parts of the country.

On Thursday, August 20, 2026, a 42-year-old M-Pesa operator was shot and injured after two armed men allegedly raided his shop at Moss Market in Nyarongi Sub-location, Otachi Location, Suna East, Migori County.

Also Read: How DCI Tracked Down Notorious Car Theft Suspect After Weeks in Hiding

According to police, the incident occurred as the operator was closing his business. The attackers were reportedly armed with a firearm believed to be a pistol.

The suspects allegedly stole Ksh200,000 from the M-Pesa shop before shooting the operator in the left thigh, causing heavy bleeding.

They also reportedly raided an adjacent shop, where they stole another Ksh30,000.

Members of the public who heard gunshots responded to the scene, but the attackers reportedly escaped into the darkness within the market.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his left thigh, an injury to his head, and a bruise on his neck, and was rushed to Oasis Hospital in Migori town, where he was admitted in stable condition.

Police said they recovered one spent bullet head suspected to have been fired from a revolver.

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A photo showing Ben Mutuku, Simon Makau and Samuel Mbolu, the three suspects arrested in connection with the M-Pesa robbery in Katangi Yatta in May 2026. Photo/ DCI