Police and armed gangsters engaged in a fiery exchange of fire that left four robbers fatally injured in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
In a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), two gangsters managed to escape, but a pistol was recovered thereafter.
“Four armed gangsters were fatally shot, and a loaded Falcon pistol was recovered after the suspects engaged detectives in a fierce gun battle during an intelligence-led operation along the Eldoret–Kiplombe–Soy Road,” DCI said.
“The incident unfolded after detectives from the Operation Action Team (OAT), augmented by local law enforcement officers acting on credible information from vigilant members of the public, laid an ambush.
According to the police, the suspects had been masquerading as police officers while terrorizing innocent motorists and other road users.
The battle ensued when the suspects were cornered but were unwilling to surrender.
“Cornered but unwilling to surrender, the gangsters opened fire. The detectives responded swiftly, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire that left four thugs fatally injured. However, two of their accomplices managed to slip through the dragnet on motorcycles towards Eldoret Town,” the statement added.
“A meticulous search of the scene uncovered a Falcon pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition, a homemade pistol, one spent cartridge, a hammer, crude housebreaking tools, balaclava masks, gloves and ropes, an arsenal pointing to a gang well-equipped for violent criminal missions.”
Investigations
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of an organized criminal gang that has, since late last year, been impersonating police and military officers while carrying out violent robberies across the Rift Valley region.
“Armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol, the gang allegedly exploited the uniforms to lower the guard of unsuspecting victims before striking with precision,” the statement continued.
“Investigators are also analyzing forensic and other evidence to establish the gang’s involvement in a robbery with violence incident reported at Gathioro Police Station, during which a PCEA reverend was murdered, as well as other crimes across the region.”
Post-mortem
The bodies of the killed suspects will now undergo a post-mortem before identification, the police said.
“Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) detectives processed the scene, and the bodies of the four thugs were moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary pending post-mortem and identification,” the DCI statement added.
“The recovered Falcon pistol has since been forwarded to the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory (NPSFL), where ballistic experts will determine whether it was used in other crimes, a crucial step that could unlock more investigations.
Police have intensified the hunt to arrest those who escaped.
