Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have intensified their crackdown on a suspected criminal network linked to the murder of a British national and a string of violent robberies along Kenya’s coastal region, culminating in the arrest of four additional suspects in Ukunda, Kwale County.
The arrests, which were carried out during a coordinated intelligence-led operation on Saturday, underscore the growing efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle organized criminal gangs operating across multiple counties.
The operation brought together officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) headquarters, working jointly with teams from SCCIO Nyali and SCCIO Msambweni, demonstrating a multi-agency approach aimed at tackling complex and high-profile crimes.
The four suspects—identified as Bernard Mbusu, Isaac Kinoti Kobia, Evans Muthengi Mutaki, and Kelvin Mwangi Njoroge—were apprehended at Ideal Apartments in Ukunda following what investigators described as sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering. Their arrest marks a significant development in investigations that have spanned several months and involved multiple crime scenes across the country.
According to the DCI, the suspects are believed to be directly connected to a robbery with violence incident involving an American national in Nyali, as well as the abduction and subsequent murder of British national Campbell Scott Alistair, whose disappearance earlier in 2025 had drawn international attention.
Scott, a 58-year-old senior director at global credit scoring firm FICO, had traveled to Nairobi to attend a conference before mysteriously going missing. His disappearance raised alarm after he failed to meet colleagues at the JW Marriott Hotel in Westlands, where he was scheduled to deliver a presentation. What began as a missing person case soon evolved into a high-profile murder investigation.
Investigations later revealed that Scott had been seen the night before at Havana nightclub, after which he was reportedly taken to a residence in Nairobi’s Pipeline area. His body was later discovered in a forested area in Mukuyuni along the Machakos–Wote road, approximately 96 kilometres from Nairobi, under circumstances that shocked both investigators and the public.
Authorities disclosed that the body had been concealed in a pineapple sack, with the victim’s hands bound—an indication of possible foul play and organized criminal involvement.
However, a post-mortem examination yielded inconclusive results, with pathologists noting that the visible injuries were too minor to directly explain the cause of death. This finding has continued to raise questions about the exact circumstances surrounding his demise.
The suspects arrested in Ukunda have also been forensically linked to another robbery with violence incident in Watamu, within Malindi Sub-County, suggesting that the group may have been operating as part of a wider criminal syndicate targeting both locals and foreign nationals.
During a search conducted at their residence, detectives recovered a range of items believed to have been stolen from victims.
These included an HP laptop, multiple mobile phones, assorted foreign currencies, several credit cards, cheque books from different banks, and PDQ machines commonly used for processing card payments. The presence of such items has further strengthened the case against the suspects, pointing to a pattern of organized and financially motivated crimes.
The crime scene was processed by forensic experts from the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) unit, who documented evidence and secured exhibits that are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigations. The suspects are currently being held at Nyali Police Station as detectives continue to piece together the full extent of their activities and identify any additional accomplices.
The latest arrests come against the backdrop of earlier developments in the case, where police had initially apprehended a taxi driver and a nightclub waiter believed to have been among the last individuals to interact with Scott. Additional suspects had also been arrested in Mombasa, while authorities issued a public appeal to trace more individuals linked to the case.
Among those previously sought were Benard Mbunga Mbusu and Alphonse Munyao Kilewa, also known as “Edu,” highlighting the complexity of the investigation and the number of individuals potentially involved. In a dramatic twist, another suspect, Samuel Musembi Kamitu, was later found unconscious at a friend’s house and subsequently died, further complicating efforts to establish a complete account of events.
The DCI has reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and has called on members of the public to continue sharing information that could aid in the investigations. The case, which involves international victims and multiple crime scenes, remains one of the most closely followed criminal investigations in recent months.
As investigations continue, the arrests in Ukunda represent a major breakthrough, offering hope that authorities are closing in on a network that has operated with apparent coordination and boldness. For now, attention shifts to the courts, where the suspects are expected to face charges as detectives finalize their case.
