Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Peter Waithaka Macharia, a notorious habitual offender, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for his involvement in an armed robbery.

On Tuesday, February 11, Macharia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after a Kibera court convicted him of robbery with violence charges.

In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) narrated the incident which led to Macharia's conviction.

"During the crime that took place on October 15, 2022, along Menelik Road, Angelos Tsekilas, a Greek national, tragically lost his life after being shot in the chest. The armed gang, consisting of three men, also stole a range of items of unknown value from the victim before taking off on a motorcycle," DCI stated.

Investigation into the crime led to Macharia's arrest on October 21, 2022, at his hideout in Gachie, Kiambu county.

"Upon processing, Macharia appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kibera on December 28, 2022, where he was formally charged with robbery with violence under Section 296(2) of the Penal Code. Armed with watertight evidence, the prosecution presented its case before Hon. Kahuya where Macharia earned 35 years behind bars," DCI added.

DCI urged members of the public to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by sharing pertinent information that could assist in maintaining safety and justice.

In a separate incident, DCI arrested two notorious robbery suspects terrorizing residents in a dramatic swoop on Monday, September 16.

The suspects were smoked out of their hideout in Utange village, where the sleuths believe they were planning another attack.

According to DCI, the young men became notorious in the region, often striking fear in their victims while riding motorcycles during their assaults.

Their reign of terror included a fatal robbery on July 18, 2024, and a series of violent incidents across Majengo, Makupa, and Tononoka on September 14, 2024.

In a chilling video, the duo was seen attempting to rob a man who was seated near his vehicle, casually using his phone.

Armed with a panga, the gang arrived on a boda boda and tried to intimidate the innocent victim, who seemed to cooperate.

In a surprising twist, the man fought back, picking a mop as his best weapon, forcing the suspects to flee on their motorbike.

The footage quickly spread on social media, amplified calls for justice, and prompted fast police action.

DCI officers said they stormed their hideout, seizing a chilling assortment of weapons and stolen items, including a panga, three knives, two mobile phones, and an ID card belonging to Yusuf Amani Yusuf.

Source: TUKO.co.ke