The residents of Kiamuthambi village, Kirinyaga Central, are living in fear following a robbery that felt more like a scene from a Hollywood heist movie than a local crime. The target? A brand-new Lexus valued at Ksh 35 million. The method? A chilling combination of overwhelming force and chemical incapacitation.
As the details of the Tuesday, February 24, 2026, raid emerge, one thing is clear: the “traditional” car thief is being replaced by highly organized, specialized mechanical syndicates.
The “Sleep Gas” Factor
What has shocked investigators most is the use of an unknown chemical agent. While the 20-man gang tied up the security guard, Anthony Namanda, they didn’t just break into the house. They allegedly sprayed a sleep-inducing gas into the bedrooms.
The owner, Rose Muriuki, and her houseguest were rendered completely unconscious. They didn’t wake up to the sound of grinding metal or heavy lifting; they woke up in a hospital bed at 9:00 AM the next morning, only to be told their car was gone—or rather, pieces of it were.
Mechanical Experts, Not Just Thugs
The level of “surgical” precision used to dismantle the vehicle proves this wasn’t a random act. Within a four-hour window (12:00 AM to 4:00 AM), the gang managed to remove:
Electronic Control Units (ECUs): The “brains” of the Lexus.
The Spindle Grille & LED Headlight Clusters: Each worth hundreds of thousands on the black market.
Custom Interior Panels & Infotainment: Carefully unscrewed rather than ripped out.
High-Performance Tires & Rims: Leaving the car sitting on its brake rotors.
Local residents suspect the thieves are part of a Nairobi-based syndicate that targets specific high-value models to satisfy the insatiable demand for “genuine” second-hand parts.
The DCI’s Race Against Time
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a massive manhunt. Forensic teams are currently analyzing the chemical residue from the bedrooms to identify the gas used—a move that suggests this syndicate might be linked to other “quiet” home invasions across the Mount Kenya region.
“This is a new level of daring,” said John Muriuki Kiama, a family member. “They didn’t want the car; they wanted the parts. They knew exactly what they were doing.”
Is Your Gated Community Safe?
This incident shatters the illusion that a high wall and a single guard are enough to protect high-value assets. As the investigation continues, security experts are advising owners of luxury vehicles to:
Install motion-activated indoor alarms that are not bypassed by exterior security.
Use gas sensors that can trigger an alarm if chemical agents are detected.
Ensure CCTV systems are backed up to the cloud in real-time.
