Five girls were yesterday rescued by police as their abductors, believed to be members of outlawed Mungiki sect, prepared to circumcise them.
The suspects – two women and three men – were arrested in the raid at the circumcisors' hideout.
Molo police boss Herbert Khaemba said: "Soon after the report was made to us we mounted a search for the girls and laid an ambush outside the house they were being held.
"We found the Mungiki sect members singing traditional songs as they prepared to circumcise the girls," he said.
He said some of the suspects fled the homestead when they saw the police. A bow, 30 arrows, two swords and a fly-whisk were among the recovered items.
The girls, aged between 15 and 19, were being held in a homestead in Elburgon Division. They had been kidnapped as they returned to their homes from a church service, Mr Khaemba said.
Meanwhile, police shot and seriously wounded a suspected gangster for robbing a teacher of money and other property on Monday.
Mr Khaemba said the wounded man was among three other suspects who robbed Mr Gideon Gitau of Sh850, a jacket and a mobile phone at Mau Summit before police officers confronted them.
Mr Khaemba said the injured suspect was arrested. His colleagues escaped.
The police boss appealed to the public to report anybody they saw with bullet wounds.