Rise and Fall of a Gangster

Here's the story of Michael , aka Sparta, the gangster who rose to prominence after cops dispatched the infamous Tomaso aka Gagula to his maker.

Michael was born and raised in a small area known as B3 area, the Corner. He attended Imara primary school and later joined Joy Valley for his high school, though he dropped out at some point.

He started out as a petty criminal, snatching handbags and phones from victims. His major break into the life of crime however came when helped a local politician protect grabbed land. They were paid handsomely and used the proceeds to acquire firearms and ammunition.

After Tomaso's gunning down in 2014, Gaza split into several smaller gangs but Michael seemed to be the de facto leader of the larger gang. He was based in Soweto slums, B3 area.

He ran a tight crew, admission involved elaborate rituals like oath-taking and shaving of the head with a razor blade.

The gang had informants right inside the police force. Which made it extremely hard to nab him.

Michael's biggest undoing was that he was an unashamed cop killer. He would even brag about it, ostensibly to raise his profile and strike fear from his juniors and rivals.

One thing the police world over can't stomach is a cop killer, and so they set out to hunt him. At the height of this hunt, the then OCS of Soweto police station, alongside sergeants and constables were transferred because it was believed he had compromised them.

Some officers on the lookout in Soweto got wind of his hideout and went to check out the area as they called for backup. Michael and his crew got out in the nick of time and bumped into two officers. He drew his pistol first and shot dead an officer by the name Benard.

Coincidentally, it was the same day that another officer Michael had killed was being buried. Japhe was shot dead outside a shopping mall, B3 area.

After this narrow escaped, Michael relocated to Ruai. His cop-killing spree didn't end. Some of the cops he killed include: Asbel , Kennedy , ASP Eston Ndwiga etc. He's also linked to the shooting dead of former member of parliament .

At this time Michael was dating the infamous prettiest gangster' Claire aka Clea Adi Vybz. He must have been heads over heels in love with this chic because it is said he dropped two of his close friends after suspecting them of hitting on her.

The way he excuted one of them (Collo) was quite macabre. He led him to next to a quarry under the pretext of having a private chat. He shot the guy and pushed him into the quarry.

Clea and other females in the crew were not just their for carnal pleasure, they were dangerous gangsters as well. They were mostly used to ferry guns because females don't raise much suspicion and are rarely frisked when entering guarded premises.

They were also used to bait potential victims in clubs. They'd approach a guy, befriend him and spy on him. They would relay the intel or lead him to the waiting crew who would waylay the man and rob him.

In April 2017 Michael and his guys killed an police officer in Ruai, leading to serious manhunt that saw some of their crew members dropped. They then escaped to Weitethie.

In August 2017 they ambushed and killed two police officers who were on patrol in Miti Kenda, Kibichoi, Kiambu County. They pumped 4 bullets into each of the officers. They then took the dead policemen's firearms, an AK and I think a Ceska Pistol.

Hessy also warned gang members to attend Clea's funeral at their own risk, that cops would be in attendance. True to their word, they pinched 3 gang members.

After the Kibichoi incident, a special police unit set out to end Michael's fairy tale. They had manged to plant informants in the crew and were able to learn of the gang leaders' hideout in Weitethie. It so happened that informant was none other than the crew's ammunition supplier

So on the morning of 20th August 2017, he got a call that copper was needed. He alerted the unit and they accompanied him surreptitiously as he was led to the exact location of the den via phone calls.

There were five gang members in the house at that time, Michael and Willis came out to meet the supplier. As they exchanged words they to spotted some undercover cops, whom they must have known from earlier encounters.Michael immediately drew his piece and started shooting wildly.

In the ensuing firefight, some of the gang members managed to escape towards Msikitini area. Michael and Willis ran towards the swamp. It is said the gun battle lasted for 2 good hours.

He was buried 9 days later in his rural area. His Eulogy was brief, his folks said he was a broker who sold land 🤣. His funeral wasn't as pompous and dramatic as Tomaso Gagula's, partly because the gang members knew police would be waiting for them.

The gangs leadership was assumed by his close friends Kagwanja, Odinga and Teddy Kasanga. They wouldn't enjoy this status for long though as they were gunned down in Dec 2017.

Teddy and 4 others escaped from Kayole to Kathaana, Tala, unaware they were being followed by Flying Squad. The cops ambushed them in their hideout as they prepared breakfast, leading to a fierce shootout. The thugs even doused one of the officers with boiling water.

Two were shot dead in the gunfight and one shot himself after being cornered by an irate mob. Teddy and another accomplice escaped to Mwonyeni, a few KMs farther, but the cops caught up and shot them dead. And that marked a resounding stamping out of the core Gaza gang.

The end