MSAMBWENI, Kwale County—Jan 24, 2026—Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Msambweni, working alongside Diani Police Station, have arrested three members of a criminal gang that has been terrorising residents and visitors along the Tiwi, Mwachema,
Mwakamba areas, and the coastal beachlines of Matuga and Msambweni.
Acting on crucial intelligence, the joint team conducted a targeted operation that led them to the gang’s hideout in Tiwi.
The arrested suspects—Swaleh Idd, Ismael Sefu, and Omar Rama—are now in custody at Diani Police Station, where they are undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment.
Residents in the affected areas have reported a spike in thefts, assaults, and other criminal activities in recent months, prompting intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations by law enforcement.
The DCI says the arrests mark a significant step towards restoring security along the Southern coast, a popular area for both locals and tourists.
Kwale County, particularly the areas along the beach, have in the past experienced sporadic criminal activity, including robberies and gang-related incidents. Police have increasingly relied on intelligence-driven operations to track and apprehend suspects, aiming to curb the rise in organised crime.
