Testimony by a convicted member of the gang has revealed details of how the pursuit of a better life pushed young men from Nakuru’s informal settlements into a criminal network responsible for a wave of terror that shocked the country.
In his account before Justice Samuel Mohochi, Evans Michori Kebwaro, a member of the gang who turned State witness, narrated how he and his colleagues were drawn into a cult-like group through promises of fast money.
Mr Julius Omondi Otieno, 27, Josephat Simiyu Juma, 24, Dennis Alusiola Mmbolo, 25, Isaac Kinyanjui Nganga, 18, and Ficky Wanjala Makokha, 25, suspects linked to Mawanga killings, when they appeared in court on July19, 2022.
Photo credit: Mercy Koskei | Nation Media Group
The court heard that the desire to escape poverty and the gruelling work at construction sites in Nakuru made Kebwaro and his three colleagues—Dennis Alusiola, 19-year-old Form Four candidate Isaac Kinyanjui, and his in-law Josphat Simiyu—accept a vague “job opportunity” whose nature they did not understand.
Before they realised what was happening, they had been absorbed into a criminal gang that had been making news headlines for violent crimes in Bahati sub-County.
Kebwaro testified that while working at a construction site in the Manyani informal settlement in Nakuru East, he and his colleagues were approached by two acquaintances, Kevin Omondi and Julius Otieno.
The pair taunted them for doing hard labour while claiming to have well-paying jobs that afforded them houses, cars and significant wealth.
They offered to introduce the four to what they described as a lucrative job.
Before starting, the four were taken through an oath of secrecy after being driven in a tinted vehicle to an unknown location.
We were then asked to be ready for the first job the following day,” he said.
“They were instructed to report the following day to Kingdom Seekers' grounds in Nakuru City,” he said.
Evans Michori Kebwaro, the main suspect in the murders of several women in Mawanga, Nakuru city, at the Nakuru Law Courts on July 5, 2022.
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At the meeting point, Kevin Omondi explained where the job would take place and issued each of them two swords. He and Julius Otieno each had a motorcycle.
“Until that time, I did not know the nature of the job we were to do and neither did I know what the swords were to be used for. The job was to be done in Mawanga estate, about seven kilometers from the convergence point," he explained.
Upon arriving at the first home the gang targeted, Omondi assigned each person a specific role. Kebwaro was tasked with keeping watch outside before joining the others once the situation was clear.
After confirming that only one woman was present, some members of the group entered the house disguised as furniture repairers. The court heard that the victim was overpowered, assaulted and later killed during the attack. The gang then stole valuables and set the house on fire before fleeing.
Kebwaro told the court he later changed his clothes and blended in with members of the public who had gathered at the scene to witness the fire.
“I hid in a bush, changed the clothes l had and joined members of the public in witnessing the arson attack. Everybody thought I was a neighbour," he told the court.
After hiding the stolen goods, the gang regrouped at the Kingdom Seekers' grounds later that evening, where Omondi paid them from the proceeds and briefed them on future plans.
Suspects in the Mawanga murders in Nakuru City: Julius Otieno, Josphat Simiyu, Dennis Mmbolo, Isaac Kinyanjui and Makhoha Wanjala are taken to court yesterday. They were detained for 14 more days pending mental assessments and DNA testing.
Photo credit: Cheboite Kigen | Nation Media Group
Kebwaro admitted participating in at least three robbery operations that followed the same pattern of targeting homes, attacking victims, stealing valuables and setting houses ablaze.
He was arrested in Kisii County after fleeing Nakuru when the killings gained national attention and triggered a high-level security operation led by then–Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i.
Upon his arrest, he identified five accomplices who were subsequently arrested: Kevin Omondi, Josphat Simiyu, Julius Otieno, Dennis Alusiola, and Isaac Kinyanjui.
The suspects were charged with the murder of four women: Diana Opicho, Beatrice Akinyi, Susan Wambui, and Grace Wanjiku.
Through his plea bargain, Kebwaro pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for testifying against his co-accused. He is currently serving prison sentences of 12, 28, 10 and 12 years respectively.
The hearing continues on May 11, 2026.
