Fugitive Mastermind Behind Murder of Police Officer Apprehended

Police in Nairobi yesterday arraigned in court a fugitive criminal gang leader who has been evading authorities for several months.

Edward Wanyama Mukanga, also known as Ramadhan Mukanga or Abu Naiyah, aged 34, served as the mastermind behind a notorious gang responsible for a deadly attack in Siaya County.

The incident occurred on November 20, 2023, during the escort of examination papers to Mahero Secondary School in Alego Usonga Sub-County. The attack resulted in the killing of a police officer, while another was injured and had their rifles stolen.

Edward, alias Abu Naiyah, was tracked down and arrested at a hideout in Nairobi’s Dandora slum on Friday, January 26, according to police reports.

The authorities had previously released names and photographs of Abu Naiyah and his associates, including Edwin Omondi (alias Rashid), Simon Ochieng Ouma (alias Ali Baba), Salim Jackoyo, and Hasting Omondi.

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A public appeal for information on their whereabouts yielded results, leading to the arrest of Hasting Omondi in Usenge Village within the Bondo area of Siaya County in December 2023.

Edward Wanyama Mukanga was presented in Kahawa Law Courts on Monday, January 29, 2024, where detectives were granted 25 days to conclude their investigation.

The Siaya attack prompted a significant law enforcement operation in the area, resulting in the arrest of numerous suspects. Some of those involved in the attack were subsequently located and neutralized in a police shootout, leading to the recovery of the stolen weapons.