Kenya has played host to some of the most dangerous criminals in the past. 

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They engaged themselves in a series of robberies, kidnappings, and murders for a living.

 Some like Dan Gachui inspired the declaration of ‘robbery with violence’ a capital offense by the government because of his involvement in countless bank heists and cold blood murders. 

Here is a list of other criminals who the slight mention of their names sent chills down the spines of Kenyans in the past:

John Kiriamiti

Kiriamiti was on the police’s 'most wanted list' by the time he was 20.

 Thanks to a string of robberies he had either orchestrated or executed in Nairobi and its environs. 

He was nabbed, prosecuted and jailed in 1971 for a 20-year sentence that saw him write the popular ‘My life in crime’ novel. 

He was however released 13 years later after allegedly portraying transformation and good conduct.

Simon Matheri

Matheri is said to have had a hand in the murders of a number of high profile individuals including renowned Africa AIDS lead researcher Job Bwayo.

He resided in a 3 bedroom house in Kitengela with his wife who only knew him as ‘Matheru’, a lie she was fed by the hardcore criminal in a bid to disguise himself.

 He also allegedly never used the front door of his house.

The day of his death saw a contingent of over 100 police officers sabotage him before riddling his body with bullets in Kitengela

Gerald Wambugu

Famously known as ‘Wanugu’ ,Wambugu was gunned down in Nakuru after years of terrorizing Kenyans in the 80s and 90s.

 The man who had careers as both a tout and a mechanic earlier in his life turned to a ruthless cold blood killer and armed bank robber who allegedly ducked the flying squad plenty of times before they finally caught up with him in 1996, ending his life on the spot.

Bernard Matheri ‘Rasta’

Matheri was part of a four man gang that included his wife Mary Wanjiku, who wadded in the murky world of crime while managing to maintain low profiles.

 His life was however cut short in 1997 when he was gunned down by a group of officers that consisted of both uniformed police and the flying squad.

The love of his life was nabbed two years later after a botched robbery attempt.

 The third member Timothy Ndegwa is currently serving a life sentence at Kamiti maximum prison after his successful arrest and prosecution. 

John Kibera, the fourth member a self-confessed coffin thief turned his life around and got saved after narrowly escaping the jaws of death.

Phillip Onyancha

Onyancha, a self-confessed Satanist is arguably Kenya’s most gruesome and terrifying serial killer in history. 

His victims were mostly street children and prostitutes whom he allegedly strangled to death before drinking their blood and hiding their bodies.