- The victims said the attackers were seven at that time.
- Luckily, the man survived the attack and the victims are recuperating in hospital.
Image: THE STAR:
Detectives are interrogating two suspects in connection with gang rape and robbery with violence incidents reported in Homabay County in the last one month.
The two were arrested Saturday while headed to Kericho County, where they are believed to have been hired to commit murder and other atrocities, police said.
Police said the suspects are suspected to be part of a gang of seven that broke into a homestead in Lala village, Arujo location in Homabay County and gang-raped a woman before escaping with household goods of an unknown value.
In the incident that occurred on May 10, 2023, the gang, which claimed to have been sent to eliminate the family then turned to the man of the house and hit him on the head with a blunt object leaving him unconscious.
The victims said the attackers were seven at that time.
Luckily, the man survived the attack and the victims are recuperating in hospital.
In a related incident, the gang operating in a similar manner had on the night of April 23 and 24 raided five homes at Cinema Market in Gem where they gang raped a woman before making away with household goods including TV sets, gas cookers, mobile phones among other electronic goods.
The suspects are currently in custody being grilled by detectives in relation to the reported incidents before being arraigned in court, police said.
In the latest incident, police who visited the scene established that the robbers gained entry by digging under the door and opened it.
A hunt on more suspects is ongoing with an aim of establishing the motive and ensure justice, police said.
Cases of rape have been on the rise amid campaigns to address them.
Rape cases stood at 827 in 2022, 1,013 in 2021, 973 in 2020, 950 in 2019 and 921 in 2018.
Major campaigns against the vice are ongoing.
Meanwhile, three suspects who are part of a gang that has been harassing motorists and robbing them of their valuables along the Kenol-Sagana highway were at the weekend arrested by police.
The highway thugs armed with machetes and other crude weapons have in the recent past been erecting roadblocks and attacking motorists along the busy highway at night.
Police conducted intelligence led investigations in Makuyu within Kambiti and Kitini area, before flushing out the three from their hideout.
More suspects are being sought in the ongoing operation with detectives, police said.
The area has been experiencing violent crimes in the past days amid calls to address the trend.