Police officer killed, two hurt in Nakuru gang ambush

Three police officers were injured in a gun attack by an armed gang while on patrol in the Freehold area of Nakuru.

Nakuru East OCPD Samson Andanje confirmed the shooting but said he could not provide further information as he was still at the scene responding to the situation.

Preliminary reports indicate that the attackers ambushed the officers, leaving three of them wounded.

The injured officers were quickly taken to different hospitals within the county for medical attention.

Nakuru County has witnessed a wave of violent attacks in recent days, with at least four fatalities reported in separate incidents over the past ten days.

In the latest case, a 24-year-old man, Elias Mwambili, was gunned down on Saturday evening at his workplace a shop located in Upperhill Soilo Estate, Nakuru West.

The attackers made away with Sh200,000 during the robbery.

"He was shot at around 7:30 pm as the suspects raided the premises. Though he was rushed to Nakuru Level Five Hospital by first responders, he succumbed to his injuries," said Nakuru West Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Kirui in an earlier statement.

Kirui noted that investigations are ongoing and that security patrols have been stepped up across the region in response to a pattern of similar crimes.

"We’ve been trailing this particular gang for several days now. We suspect they’re behind a string of violent incidents in various parts of Nakuru, and we’re closing in on them," he added.

According to Monicah Njoki, a hairdresser working near the scene, the assailants stormed the shop armed with machetes and immediately attacked Mwambili, who put up a strong fight.

"Two of them came in and started assaulting him with machetes, but he resisted fiercely. Then a third man appeared, fired a warning shot into the air, and shot Mwambili at the doorway before they all jumped onto a waiting motorbike and sped off," Njoki recounted.

Mwambili suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, with the bullet exiting through his back, causing severe injuries.

Tom Mboya, a nearby resident, recalled hearing the commotion.

"I was in my house next to the shop when I heard gunshots. When I rushed out, the attackers were already fleeing. Mwambili was bleeding heavily, and we tried to get him to the hospital as fast as we could, but sadly, he passed away on the way," he said.

Just a day earlier, on Friday night, the same gang is believed to have struck again this time targeting a shop in Mwariki Estate, Nakuru West.

The business, owned by Jackson Maina, also dealt in LPG gas and M-Pesa services, similar to the other victims previously attacked.

Jackson Maina, the shop owner attacked in Mwariki Estate, is currently receiving treatment at Nakuru Level Five Hospital after sustaining deep machete wounds during the violent robbery, in which the attackers fled with Sh100,000.

"The incident happened around 7:20 pm," said his wife, Susan Mwaina.

"When people tried to intervene, the gang fired two shots into the air. My husband was badly slashed before he surrendered to them."