Routine patrol officers, acting on what they described as “actionable intelligence,” zeroed in on the whereabouts of a feared gang leader believed to be hiding in the notorious Gioto area or London – a crime hotspot within the sprawling informal settlement.
What followed was “a calculated and tactical response” by the crime busters, culminating in the arrest of 21-year-old Francis Nderitu Maina, alias “Maish.” According to police, the suspect had been on the run after he “narrowly escaped a police dragnet on 23rd February 2026,” going underground in a bid to evade capture.
Maina is alleged to be the ringleader of the outlawed Isilando sect, a criminal outfit linked to a string of heinous activities within the Gioto slums—also infamously dubbed “Hilton.” Authorities noted that his name has “long featured prominently in investigations tied to robbery with violence,” alongside a criminal record that includes unlawful assembly, incitement to violence, and drug trafficking.
Upon arrest, officers recovered what they termed “a chilling indication of readiness for violence”—a military-style sword (USA saber). However, the operation extended beyond the initial capture.
Following what police described as “a brief yet effective interrogation,” the suspect led officers to his makeshift residence. A thorough search uncovered “a crudely assembled homemade firearm,” described as a wooden structure fitted with a steel pipe and wrapped in black cellotape, concealed in a blue canvas behind the house.
“All recovered exhibits have been secured as crucial evidence,” police said, adding that the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.