Four people have been arrested in Nairobi following reports of a group targeting foreign-owned businesses in the Nyamakima area and demanding large sums of money from traders.
The suspects, identified as Peter Macharia Gatene, Lawrence Ireri Karani, Josephat Mburu Kamau and Runnalice Nyambura Nganga, are being investigated over their links to a group calling itself the “Nyamakima Business Community.”
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the group is believed to have about 30 members, with investigators identifying Nganga as the suspected ringleader. The group reportedly visited several businesses operated by foreign nationals on Monday, September 7.
During the visits, the individuals reportedly demanded to inspect business permits, KRA compliance certificates and information relating to company directors. Business owners who were unable to provide the documents were reportedly threatened with closure or ordered to pay large amounts of money to continue operating.
“At one shop the group demanded to inspect the company’s business permit, KRA compliance certificate and directors’ details. They reportedly ordered the immediate closure of the premises over the alleged lack of the documents, or demanded Ksh.300,000 to allow the business to continue operating,” the DCI stated.
The group later moved to another electrical appliances business, where they reportedly demanded Ksh.200,000.
The incidents were reported to the police, leading detectives to launch investigations into the activities of the group. The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects believed to have been connected to the reported incidents.
The four are currently being held by police as investigations continue ahead of their arraignment in court.
Detectives are also working to establish how widely the group operated and whether other people were involved in the reported scheme. Investigators are expected to examine the businesses that were visited and the demands made against their owners as they piece together the events.
The DCI has warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, particularly by using threats or intimidation to obtain money from business owners.
The agency has urged anyone with information about similar incidents to report them to the relevant authorities, while cautioning individuals against presenting themselves as enforcement officers or using claims of regulatory violations to pressure traders into making payments.
