Police officer killed, two others injured in Nakuru crime patrol

A police officer was shot dead and two others seriously injured during an operation targeting a criminal gang that has been terrorising the business community in Nakuru.

Police Constable Josphat Ruto succumbed to injuries in the hospital after being shot in the pelvic region by the suspects in Freehold Estate, Nakuru East. His colleague, Paul Mutoro, suffered a machete wound on his right arm, while Walter Makori was shot in the back, the bullet exiting through his stomach.

The three officers were on patrol, tracking the gang linked to four murders in ten days, when they encountered the suspects preparing to commit a crime. “A shoot-out ensued. One robber escaped with gunshot wounds. Another, identified as Peter Chacha, who injured Constable Mutoro, was arrested and a machete recovered,” police said.

A second suspect was found at a bar, after members of the public reported seeing him with the group prior to the shooting. Further investigation led police to Umoja Lodge in Nakuru CBD, where three accomplices, including a woman, were arrested.

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Further investigations led officers to Umoja Lodge, an accommodation facility in Nakuru’s central business district (CBD), where three more accomplices, including a woman, were arrested.

The suspects then guided police to a location in the Freehold area where an AK-47 rifle with three rounds of ammunition was hidden under dry grass outside a residential building.

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara confirmed that a female food vendor operating near the scene was also detained, as she allegedly kept the firearm when not in use.

Background checks revealed that one of the suspects had been released from Nakuru GK Prison just a month ago, while others come from Kuria near the Kenya-Tanzania border.

Commissioner Kibaara said, “We have examined the firearm, and it does not belong to the police or any local security agency. We suspect the gun was sourced from the suspects’ home region.”

Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects are responsible for a series of violent robberies, many of which ended in fatal shootings across Nakuru. “When we analysed data from their homes, it pointed to Pipeline, Ndege Ndimu, Soilo, and Pakawa areas. They reportedly meet at Umoja Lodge to plan their activities,” Kibaara explained.

Last week, police arrested three more suspects believed to be part of the same criminal network.

While the arrests offer some relief to Nakuru residents, the county commissioner urged the public to stay vigilant as more suspects remain at large. “We are still interrogating those in custody and believe the gang could be larger than initially thought. The information we obtain will help us identify and arrest more suspects,” said Kibaara.

The gang is suspected of killing Elias Mwambili, 24, who was shot during a robbery on Saturday evening at his employer’s shop in Upperhill Soilo Estate, Nakuru West. The robbers stole Sh200,000. “The young man was shot at about 7:30 pm. He was rushed to Nakuru Level Five Hospital but unfortunately did not survive,” said Nakuru West Sub County Police Commander Stephen Kirui.

On Friday night, the gang attacked Jackson Maina’s shop in Mwariki Estate, Nakuru West. Like others, the shop traded in LPG gas and M-Pesa services.

Maina is recovering at Nakuru Level Five Hospital after suffering deep cuts during the attack, in which the gang stole Sh100,000.

According to his wife, Susan Mwaina, “The gang struck at around 7:20 pm. Neighbours came to help, but the robbers fired two warning shots into the air. My husband was badly injured before giving in to their demands.”

On Thursday, the gang shot dead Enoch Koech at Ngata Bridge after he responded to another robbery. During that incident, shopkeeper Caroline Kwamboka was seriously injured and lost Sh40,000.

Other victims include Jackson Mwangi, who was shot in Pipeline Estate on May 21, and Paul Ndung’u, killed on May 23, in Ndege Ndimu Estate. Both were attacked at their shops in the early evening.