Pastor Murder Gang Linked to Ksh600,000 Robbery as DCI Uncovers Chilling Nakuru Crime Network
Detectives investigating the brutal murder of Reverend Julius Ndumia Ngari have linked the suspected killers to a dangerous criminal syndicate believed to be behind a series of violent robberies across Nakuru County, including a shocking Ksh600,000 heist.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the gang, accused of killing the cleric at PCEA Tabuga Church in Nakuru North Sub-County on May 3, had long been on the radar of security agencies for allegedly carrying out armed robberies while disguising themselves as law enforcement officers.
In a statement issued on May 12, the DCI revealed that forensic and intelligence-led investigations had connected the suspects to a May 1 robbery in which a victim was violently attacked before Ksh600,000 was fraudulently transferred from their bank account to mobile numbers linked to the gang.
“Through sustained forensic and intelligence-driven investigations, detectives have firmly linked the incident to a notorious criminal gang first profiled in July 2022,” the agency stated.
Investigators further disclosed that the group is believed to have been using an L1A1 rifle, a firearm previously recovered by police during an earlier security operation in 2024.
Authorities now believe the murder of the reverend may be part of a much wider web of organised criminal activity that has terrorised residents in Nakuru and surrounding areas for months.
“Detectives are also investigating a pattern of violent attacks and robberies within Nakuru County and its environs. It is suspected that the same gang is behind several of these incidents,” the DCI added.
The killing of Reverend Ngari shocked the local community and sparked widespread outrage, with residents demanding swift justice and improved security measures in the region.
Earlier, on May 9, detectives confirmed the arrest of two suspects linked to the murder. Police said the suspects were found in possession of valuables believed to have been stolen from the reverend during the fatal attack.
The DCI has since assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that authorities are building what they described as a “robust case” to ensure all those involved are prosecuted.
The agency also cautioned Kenyans against spreading unverified claims surrounding the murder, urging residents to cooperate with investigators instead.
“We urge members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and continue cooperating with investigators by providing any relevant information,” the DCI emphasised.
The latest revelations are expected to intensify pressure on security agencies as fear grows over the resurgence of heavily armed criminal gangs operating in parts of the Rift Valley.
Also Read: Germany Tightens Visa Rules for 2027 DAAD Scholarship Applicants