This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
On July 18, 2020, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested a suspected member of a vigilante group in Nairobi's Westlands area.
The arrest was made after the completion of an inquiry on Hirji Ramji Patel alias Harish Daria, a licensed firearm holder, who was suspected of leading a group of licensed gun handlers in policing the larger Westlands area.
According to the DCI, the suspect was arrested on extortion charges and for being in unlawful possession of government stores, including police regalia.
During the arrest, detectives recovered a Ceska pistol, 27 rounds of ammunition, two empty magazines, two walkie talkies, a military smoke jacket, a white bulletproof vest, a pair of handcuffs, 25 rolls of suspected bhang, and several badges.
Patel has been involved in various activities, including coordinating rescue missions and supplying food during the 2013 Westgate Mall terror attack.
He is set to be arraigned in court on Monday.
Detectives recovered a Ceska pistol, 27 rounds of ammunition, two empty magazines, two walkie talkies, military smoke jacket, white bullet proof vest, a pair of handcuffs, 25 rolls of suspected bhang and several badges among other items/DCI
