KIKUYU man arrested after he lured a charcoal vendor posing as a client and robbed him of Ksh 200,000 at gunpoint (PHOTO)

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - Detectives drawn from the Operations Action Team (OAT) and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) have arrested a robbery-with-violence suspect who staged a gunpoint heist against a charcoal vendor, making away with Sh200,000 in Mukurweini Sub-County.

The suspect, 49-year-old James Kanyi Gachara, was apprehended following a complaint lodged by the victim, a charcoal dealer who reported being violently robbed in Nguyoini area.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the vendor, who operates a charcoal business in Mukurweini town, was lured by the suspect under the guise of a lucrative deal.

Posing as a customer, Gachara informed him that a friend required 20 sacks of charcoal.

Although the trader had insufficient stock, he quickly mobilised his suppliers to meet the demand.

Once the charcoal had been sourced, the unsuspecting vendor was ambushed by a numberless Toyota Prado SUV.

The suspect, together with his accomplices, forced the victim into the vehicle, where he was assaulted and coerced at gunpoint to surrender his Equitel account PIN.

The gang then withdrew Sh200,000 from his account.

After the robbery, the victim was pushed out of the SUV and held at gunpoint by a female accomplice before the vehicle sped off towards Mukurweini.

Moments later, a red motorcycle picked up the armed woman, disappearing in the same direction, leaving the victim lying helpless on the ground.

Thanks to forensic intelligence, detectives trailed down and arrested the suspect, who is currently in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment.

In the meantime, detectives are pursuing additional leads to apprehend and bring to book his accomplices who remain at large.

The Kenyan DAILY POST