DNK International By Sandra Mulomi,Kibra.
Police in Nairobi’s Kibra have intensified operations against drug trafficking and violent criminal gangs following a series of intelligence led raids that led to multiple arrests, recovery of narcotics, and seizure of dangerous weapons.
The operations, conducted over the weekend by officers from Kibra Police Station and Golf Course Police Post, targeted suspected drug dens and hideouts linked to armed criminal groups operating within Laini Saba and surrounding areas.
According to police, the first operation was mounted in the early hours of Saturday after officers received actionable intelligence regarding the trafficking and abuse of hard drugs in Laini.
Working undercover and posing as potential buyers, officers infiltrated suspected drug distribution points before moving in to arrest several suspects allegedly involved in trafficking, peddling, and abusing narcotics.
During the raid, police recovered a significant quantity of drug-related items, including syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, cotton wool, assorted tablets, cannabis rolls, candles used in the preparation of drugs, and other suspected narcotic substances.
Kibra OCS Tusca Opondo who led the operation described the exercise as part of a broader effort to dismantle drug networks operating within the informal settlement.
“We are conducting intelligence-driven operations aimed at identifying and disrupting every link in the drug supply chain,” the officer said. “Those involved in trafficking, selling, or abusing hard drugs should understand that law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing them,” Opondo said.
All suspects arrested during the operation remain in custody and are undergoing processing pending their arraignment in court. Opondo said the recovered substances will be forwarded to the Government Chemist for analysis and evidentiary purposes.
Residents have frequently raised concerns over the impact of drug abuse on young people in the area, with community leaders calling for stronger enforcement and rehabilitation programmes.
The anti-drug operation was followed hours later by another targeted raid aimed at dismantling a notorious gang believed to be responsible for a series of robberies and violent attacks in Laini Saba.
According to police reports, officers conducting pre-dawn foot patrols encountered several suspicious individuals who fled upon spotting law enforcement officers.
A pursuit ensued through the densely populated neighbourhood, with officers tracking the suspects to a known hideout.
Police said they breached the premises after establishing the suspects had taken refuge inside. Two suspects reportedly escaped through a window during the operation, but officers successfully arrested one man allegedly armed with a machete.
The suspect was later identified as Glanton Arira Ashiona, whom investigators describe as a key figure in a gang commonly referred to by residents as the “Panga Squad.”
Police reported that the suspect resisted arrest and that officers were forced to physically restrain him before transporting him to a secure location.
“It took considerable effort and tactical restraint to subdue the suspect without further incident,” Opondo said. “The operation was conducted professionally despite the risks posed by an armed suspect.”
Investigators say multiple complainants have positively identified the suspect as one of the gang leaders linked to a string of criminal activities in the area.
Residents welcomed news of the arrest, expressing hope that the operation would improve security in the neighbourhood.
“For a long time people have been living in fear, especially when walking home late in the evening,” said one resident who requested anonymity. “We hope these arrests will bring lasting peace.”
Police emphasized that efforts to track down the remaining gang members are ongoing.
In a separate but related operation, officers from Golf Course Police Post acting on intelligence raided another suspected criminal hideout in the Amref area of Laini Saba.
During the operation, officers arrested two suspects identified as Ronald Osweil and Paul Mochama.
Police said both men attempted to resist arrest but were quickly subdued by the responding officers.
A subsequent search of the premises resulted in the recovery of two machetes, which investigators believe may have been intended for use in criminal activities.
The suspects are currently being held at Kibra Police Station and are expected to face charges related to preparation to commit a felony once investigations are completed.
Security officials say the recent operations signal a renewed commitment to restoring law and order in Kibra through intelligence-led policing and community cooperation.
“These operations are not isolated incidents,” a police official said. “We will continue pursuing criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, violent robberies, and other offences. Our objective is to ensure that residents can live and work in a safe environment,” Opondo said.
The latest crackdown comes as law enforcement agencies across Nairobi intensify efforts to combat organized crime, drug abuse, and gang-related violence in urban settlements.
Authorities have urged members of the public to continue sharing information with security agencies, noting that community intelligence remains a critical tool in preventing crime and apprehending offenders.
Opondo said investigations into all the cases are ongoing, with additional operations expected in the coming weeks.
[DNK-International@June 7,2026]
