Laare police arrest six more suspects over sexual assault during circumcision ceremony

Law enforcement officers in Meru have arrested six men suspected of involvement in a brutal gang rape that sparked public outrage earlier this week.

The shocking attack occurred on December 1 in Laare Town, Igembe North Sub-County, during a traditional circumcision procession.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, in a social media post, said a distress call from members of the public alerted authorities to the assault, in which a young woman was attacked by multiple men.

Officers responded swiftly and found the victim in severe trauma, with her clothes torn and her dignity violated. She was immediately rushed to Nyambene Hospital for urgent medical attention.

POLICE NAB SIX SUSPECTS IN MERU GANG RAPE CASE

Law Enforcement Officers from Laare Police Station have apprehended six suspects linked to a horrifying gang rape incident that occurred on December 1, 2025, in Laare Town, within Igembe North Sub-County.

On that day, a distress... pic.twitter.com/61JDcYn3Cc

- DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) December 3, 2025

The incident ignited widespread anger across the community, with residents condemning the attackers and demanding swift justice. Social media and local networks were flooded with calls for accountability, intensifying pressure on law enforcement to act quickly.

Detectives from Laare Police Station launched an intensive investigation, following forensic leads and information from the community.

Targeted operations in the Irinde, Lubwa, and Kiarama areas led to the arrest of six men: Dennis Mwirigi, Ismael Gichuge, Elijah Muriki, Isaac Ntomauta, Joseph Marete, and Phineas Mutali.

These arrests bring to nine the total number of individuals in custody, including three who were detained immediately after the attack.

All suspects are currently undergoing processing pending arraignment, while police assure the public that the investigation is ongoing and that efforts continue to identify and apprehend any additional individuals involved.

Many community members have expressed outrage over the brutality, with some linking it to rowdy traditions that may encourage violence against women.

Locals, however, insist that rape is a grave crime and not part of their culture, emphasising that authorities are treating the case as a criminal matter.