Police in Trans Nzoia banned wearing face masks after thugs riding boda-boda devised a new trick of robbing residents.
According to Trans Nzoia police commander Nelson Taliti, thieves pretending to be boda-boda riders wear helmets and face masks to hide their identity.
They then enter into business premises posing as customers to rob unsuspecting Kenyans.
“We have genuine boda-boda riders, but there is a minority that is creating lawlessness in the county."
“They are armed with AK-47s and enter into shops and hotels wearing face masks and helmets,” the commander announced in a statement on January 4, 2023.
The commander added that seven businesses had been robbed in just a week using the same trick, prompting the ban.
“We have intensified investigations and we already have one suspect in custody concerning the robberies,” Taliti revealed.
“The suspect will be arraigned in court on Wednesday, January 5, and we are confident more suspected will be arrested,” the commander added.
Police officers, with the aid of sniffer dogs, are also patrolling the area to weed out the thugs causing havoc in the region.
Kwanza Member of Parliament Ferdinand Wanyonyi urged the police department not to relent in providing security.
“There have been increasing cases of crime in the region and we ask police officers to protect us,” the MP pleaded.
The news came two days after police in Kitale launched a manhunt for criminal gangs operating in Trans Nzoia.
“Police will not rest until those who robbed an Asian businessman in Kitale are brought to book,” declared Kwanza head of police James Odera on January 2.
This followed an incident where a gang of three using the same trick robbed a motorcycle shop and shot and wounded the owner.
