Dreaded 'Confirm Gang' leader Dickson Macharia Waithira arrested in Nakuru

Dickson Macharia Waithira alias Deco was arrested on Wednesday, through concerted efforts by security teams in the region. 

The latest is part of effort by security agencies to tackle the run-away crime in Nakuru county that has been on the rise in the recent past. 

The murders of six women in Nakuru County two months ago shone the spotlight on the dreaded gang that rose to notoriety during the tenure of  former Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery in 2016.

The gang which was outlawed during Nkaisserry's tenure was aptly named 'confirm' because of their modus operandi; they began crime by targetting mobile money users before becoming a fully-fledged armed gang. 

The name was inspired by the messages users receive when they receive money via mobile transfer: "confirmed, you have received......."

In late July, four members of the confirm gang were shot dead during a security operation in the Barut area of Nakuru county. 

Police  said officers on patrol, responding to a tip-off from residents,  spotted some young people were attacking unsuspecting passers-by with arrows before opening fire. 

Since the return of the dreaded gang, over 144 suspects have been arrested in Nakuru with Interior CS, Fred Matiangi vowing to crackdown on the suspected criminals.

“There is this group called Confirm in Nakuru…we are ready for them, we shall camp in Nakuru,” said Matiang'i while addressing worshippers at Ekerubo SDA church in Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County in late June. 

“I will be there together with the Inspector General…wanajiita Confirm…tuko tayari kuwa confirm sasa, you can't be terrorizing Kenyans, women, in Nakuru...we are ready for them kabisa.”