In the underbelly of Nairobi’s criminal world, a notorious figure emerged after the fall of the infamous Tomaso, known as Gagula. Michael Mwaniki, popularly known as Mwane or Mwanii Sparta, carved a dark legacy that gripped the city with fear. Here is the gripping tale of a man who rose to prominence as a gangster and left a trail of violence in his wake.
Mwane’s journey began in the Kayole B3 area, a place known for its challenges and adversity. He attended Imara Primary School and briefly ventured into high school at Joy Valley before eventually dropping out. His early criminal career involved petty theft, including snatching handbags and stealing phones from unsuspecting victims.
However, his transformation into a notorious criminal took a more sinister turn when he became involved in protecting grabbed land for a local politician. The substantial payment they received for their efforts enabled them to acquire firearms and ammunition, marking the beginning of a life steeped in crime.
After the demise of Tomaso in 2014, Gaza, the notorious gang, splintered into smaller factions. Amid the chaos, Mwane emerged as a de facto leader, based in the Soweto slums of Kayole. His gang operated with meticulous precision, requiring potential members to undergo elaborate rituals such as oath-taking and head-shaving with a razor blade.
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What set Mwane apart, and ultimately proved to be his downfall, was his brazen disregard for law enforcement. He openly boasted about killing police officers, intending to elevate his reputation and instill fear among both his subordinates and rivals.
The police force, united in its abhorrence of cop killers, launched a relentless pursuit of Mwane. The hunt became so intense that the OCS of Soweto Police Station, along with several sergeants and constables, were transferred, amid suspicions of corruption.
Mwane’s violent spree escalated when he shot and killed Officer Boniface Oketch during a chance encounter with police officers in Soweto. Tragically, this incident occurred on the same day another officer, Japheth Mwiti, lost his life outside Naivas in Kayole.
Mwane’s bloodlust for law enforcement continued as he was linked to the killings of several police officers, including Asbel Kipkorir, Kennedy Nkune, and ASP Eston Ndwiga in Mihango, among others. He was also implicated in the fatal shooting of former Moyale MP Philip Godana.
During this tumultuous period, Mwane was romantically involved with Claire Njoki, infamously known as Clea Adi Vybz, who was also involved in criminal activities. Their relationship was marked by violence, suspicion, and betrayal, leading to shocking murders within their close circle.
One chilling episode involved the execution of a close friend named Collo, whom Mwane led to a quarry under the pretense of a private conversation before shooting him and pushing his lifeless body into the abyss.
Mwane’s gang also used female members, including Claire, for nefarious purposes, such as ferrying weapons and luring potential victims in clubs. Their ability to blend in with the crowd and avoid suspicion made them invaluable assets to the gang’s criminal endeavors.
In April 2017, Mwane and his associates killed an AP officer in Ruai, prompting an extensive manhunt that resulted in the death of some gang members. The group then relocated to Weitethie, but their reign of terror continued.
In August 2017, Mwane’s gang ambushed and killed two police officers on patrol in Miti Kenda, Kibichoi, Kiambu County. They seized the officers’ firearms, including an AK and a Ceska Pistol, further escalating their notoriety.
Tragedy struck in May 2017 when Claire, the infamous gangster and Mwane’s lover, was killed in Chokaa. Mwane taunted the police, alleging they had murdered an innocent girl because she refused to betray him. Soon after, another of Mwane’s associates, Marsha Minaj, met a similar fate after being warned by Hessy on MKZ.
Hessy, an online police vigilante, cautioned gang members against attending Clea’s funeral, where law enforcement officers were expected to be present. True to their word, the police arrested three gang members during the event.
The beginning of the end for Mwane came when a special police unit planted informants within his gang. They learned of the gang’s hideout in Weitethie, which led to a fateful showdown.
On the morning of August 20, 2017, an informant received a call requesting copper. The police unit discreetly accompanied him, tracing his phone calls to the gang’s exact location. A dramatic shootout ensued when Mwane and his crew confronted undercover officers. The gun battle raged on for two hours, resulting in the death of gang members.
Mwane met his fate that day, marking the end of his reign of terror. He was buried nine days later in his hometown, with his family providing a brief eulogy claiming he was a land broker. The funeral was a low-key affair, as gang members knew that the police were watching.
With Mwane’s demise, the leadership of the Gaza gang fell into the hands of his close friends Kagwanja, Odinga, and Teddy Kasanga. However, their leadership was short-lived, as they too met their end in December 2017.
Teddy and several accomplices attempted to escape to Kathaana, Tala, but were pursued by the Flying Squad. In a fierce shootout, two gang members were killed, one took his own life, and Teddy and another accomplice were tracked down and shot dead in Mwonyeni.
Mwane Sparta’s reign marked a dark chapter in Nairobi’s criminal history, leaving behind a legacy of violence, fear, and a resounding message from law enforcement: no one is above the law.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is compiled from Eduzmi and various other sources and may be subject to inaccuracies.
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