Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have recovered two Isuzu lorries that were stolen in Murang’a County, following a multi-county operation that led to the arrest of five suspects, including a former Member of Parliament.

In a statement issued on Sunday, February 8, the DCI said the two vehicles were stolen in Gatanga on August 16, 2025, in what investigators described as a well-coordinated theft.

According to the agency, detectives from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) launched a detailed investigation immediately after the incident. Acting on intelligence leads, officers arrested five suspects believed to be the masterminds behind the theft. They were identified as Peter Njuguna Gitau, Mark Kinyua, Erick Chege, David Kigo and Joseph Ndung’u Waweru.

“The vehicles in question, an Isuzu FVZ with registration number KDQ 845T and an Isuzu FRR with registration number KDL 078W, were taken in a brazen theft in Gatanga on August 16, 2025. Following the theft, a meticulous investigation was set in motion, leading to the arrest of the five suspects,” the DCI said.

Following their arrest, the suspects led detectives to Mombasa County, where the stolen lorries were recovered in the Makupa area. Investigators found that both vehicles had been fitted with counterfeit registration plates in an attempt to conceal their identity and evade detection.

The Isuzu FVZ originally registered as KDQ 845T had been fitted with a fake plate bearing registration number KDV 449C, while the Isuzu FRR registered as KDL 078W was found carrying a counterfeit plate marked KCA 505D.

Detectives are now making arrangements to return the recovered lorries to their rightful owners as the suspects remain in custody pending arraignment in court.

“With the lorries now recovered and safely in the hands of the DCI Gatanga, plans are underway to return them to their owners. The suspects are currently undergoing processing as investigations continue,” the statement added.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata confirmed the recovery in a social media post, revealing that one of the stolen lorries belongs to the Murang’a County Government and was being used as a garbage collection truck. He also disclosed that one of the suspects is a former legislator.

“One of these lorries belongs to Murang’a County Government. Garbage collection truck. One suspect is a former Member of Parliament. Thanks, police, for helping us recover,” Kang’ata said.

The suspect identified as the former MP is Peter Njuguna Gitau, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Mwea Constituency.